Arrest Made in Pompano Beach Toddler Death by Unsecured Gun

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff’s Office reported that a 2-year-old child was fatally shot with an unattended firearm by a resident in a Pompano Beach neighborhood. Lius Appolon, a 33-year-old man, has been arrested and is facing a manslaughter charge, according to BSO spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis. This tragic event happened due to an unsecured gun in the home for which Appolon is responsible.

The Sheriff’s office arrived at the scene near the 500 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at approximately 1:45 pm, responding to a report of a gunshot. The child was immediately airlifted to a nearby hospital where the life-saving measures were, unfortunately, not successful. The sex of the child was not provided by the authorities.

“It’s heartbreaking to see that a precious young life was taken away by the careless actions of a gun owner,” said St. Louis. She also urged all firearms owners to make sure they are properly secured and that gun safety principles are enforced to prevent common accidents like this one.

The tragedy has sent shock waves throughout the community, reminding everyone of the importance of responsible gun ownership. The incident highlights the dire consequences that can occur when firearms are not strictly secured and handled with care.

Appolon has been sent to one of the main jails in Broward County located in Fort Lauderdale, pending further investigation, and sentencing. The BSO has provided various resources and tips to prevent such incidents from happening, and it is important for all gun owners to take responsibility and abide by basic safety guidelines to avoid such catastrophes. The authorities implore all gun owners to act prudently in helping prevent future accidental shootings.