Child Shoots Self, Dies, After Convicted Felon Leaves Gun Unattended

HOLIDAY – The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is reporting the death of a child who accidentally shot themselves at a local hotel.

On Saturday, deputies responded to the Holiday Hotel located at 2337 US-19 after receiving information that a child had been shot. Upon further investigation, officials determined that a juvenile accessed a gun in a hotel room and accidentally shot themselves.

Officials say, 33-year-old Zachary Johnson left an unholstered loaded gun on a television stand within reach of the juvenile, and left the hotel room for a brief moment, when the juvenile picked up the gun and shot themself. The juvenile later died at a hospital. Johnson is a convicted felon and was on felony probation for charges from a 2011 felony assault conviction.

Johnson was arrested for culpable negligence, violation of probation and Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

There are unconfirmed reports that the victim was a 3-year-old boy.

We will bring more on this story as it develops.