Ashton Lipscomb, a 9-year-old boy from Chicago, IL, tragically died on October 7, 2020, after accidentally shooting himself in the head while playing with a gun in his home. The incident occurred in the North Austin neighborhood, where Ashton was found with a gunshot wound to the head. He was rushed to Stroger Hospital of Cook County but was pronounced dead shortly after.
The investigation revealed that Ashton and his 13-year-old brother, Adrien Lipscomb, had found two unlocked guns in their father's bedroom. While playing with the weapons, Adrien accidentally fired one of the guns, resulting in Ashton's death. Their father, Adrien Lipscomb Sr., was charged with felony child endangerment for leaving the guns unlocked and unattended. He pleaded guilty and received probation in January 2021.
In a tragic turn of events, Adrien Lipscomb Jr., now 16, was later involved in a separate incident in 2023, where he was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of a 17-year-old girl. This case highlighted the ongoing impact of the initial tragedy on the Lipscomb family and the broader community.
The death of Ashton Lipscomb, a young African American boy, underscores the dangers of unsecured firearms in homes and the devastating consequences they can have on families and communities. The case remains a poignant reminder of the importance of gun safety and responsible ownership.
