Lawsuit Filed In Accidental Shooting

— A lawsuit was filed Friday in connection with a 4-year-old boy accidentally shooting himself in another person’s home.

Andrew T. Curry, Rogers attorney, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the boy’s Benton County parents — David R. Stewart and Adelia A. Stewart. The suit was filed against Christopher N. Gibson and Julie A. Gibson, who also live in Benton County.

The Stewarts, along with their 4-year-old son, were standing in the front yard of a residence owned by the Gibsons talking with Julie Gibson in March, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit claims during the conversation the boy asked Julie Gibson for permission to enter her home. She granted permission and the child went inside. While inside the boy found and handled a loaded handgun left lying on a bed, the lawsuit claims.

The gun discharged and the child was shot in the left thumb, according to court documents. The lawsuit claims the child’s injuries required emergency treatment and the eventual amputation of a portion of his left thumb.

The lawsuit claims the Gibsons acted negligently for failing to secure the gun before allowing the child to enter the room. The lawsuit also claims the Gibsons were negligent for failing to warn the Stewarts there was a loaded gun in the residence.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages for the child’s pain and suffering, along with the treatment for his injury. The lawsuit also seeks damages for mental anguish as result of the amputation and damages for scarring and disfigurement.

A lawsuit represents one side of a legal argument. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Robin Green.

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