A five-year-old boy from Santaquin, Utah died on August 22, 2024, after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a handgun he found in his parents’ bedroom. The child, identified as Brooks Thomas Wilson, was at home with his family when he discovered the loaded 9mm pistol. The gun was unsecured, and the boy fired a single shot, according to local authorities.
Brooks’ parents, Bryan and Kristin Wilson, were home at the time but were in another room when the incident occurred. Upon hearing the gunshot, Brooks’ father rushed into the room and attempted to perform CPR, but the boy succumbed to his injuries before medical personnel arrived.
Lieutenant Mike Wall of the Santaquin Police Department explained that the incident was unfortunate, with no indications of foul play. He confirmed that the child had access to the gun. No charges are being pursued against the parents.
The family released a statement the following day expressing their grief over the loss. “This heartbreaking incident has taught us difficult lessons, and we deeply regret that it unfolded this way,” the family said. Our hearts are shattered, and we hope that our family’s loss serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly life can change.”
Kristin Wilson, a preschool teacher, and her husband, Bryan, are parents to three other children: Dawson, Hudson, and Oakley. In his obituary, Brooks was remembered as a spirited child who brought joy to those around him, always displaying a warm and open heart.
The tragedy deeply impacted the small town of Santaquin, located about 60 miles south of Salt Lake City. Neighbors and friends have supported the Wilson family, some by establishing a GoFundMe page to help cover the funeral and other related expenses. As of August 28, the page had raised over $22,000.
The incident has also sparked renewed conversations about gun safety and child access to firearms. Utah currently does not have laws requiring gun owners to secure firearms or impose penalties for leaving them accessible to unsupervised minors. The state also does not mandate that guns be sold with locking devices or that firearms be locked when not in use, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
While Utah does prohibit minors from possessing handguns or long guns without parental supervision or permission, it does not penalize parents unless negligence connected to a violent felony is involved.
As safety advocates call for stricter gun storage laws, the Santaquin community continues to mourn the loss of young Brooks. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.