A toddler accidentally killed his mother when he was playing with his father’s firearm. The chilling shooting, captured on the family’s surveillance footage, led to 27-year-old Deborah Rodrigues Monteiro suffering a fatal gunshot wound on her veranda in Brazil.
Seconds before the trigger was pulled, Deborah was sitting with her husband as they chatted at their home in Rio Verde de Mato Grosso. According to the video, the 2-year-old stood just an arm’s length away when he reached for a Glock 9mm pistol placed on a small table directly in front of the couple.
He picked up the loaded weapon, unaware of the danger, and moments later, a shot rang out. Following the explosion, the toddler quickly discarded the gun and ran to his mother, who was struck by the bullet in her chest and arm. Visibly shocked, she stood up and looked down at her injuries.
When the husband went to quickly pick up the gun, their 2-year-old son wandered a few steps away. Deborah attempted to follow the child, but she immediately collapsed to the ground.
The husband, still holding the weapon, ran out of the camera frame after she collapsed and returned seconds later to assist her while their son remained close by. According to a report, emergency responders rushed Deborah to the hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving.
Authorities confirmed that the weapon was legally owned by her husband, who is a farmer. The licensed firearm, along with ammunition, has since been confiscated by detectives. The incident has prompted legal scrutiny, as he is currently under investigation and may face manslaughter charges. However, police have not made any arrests.
An autopsy was conducted the following day, though the results have not yet been released. The custody of their son is also uncertain, as reports say social services may intervene.
