Warren Christopher Lee Wimberly, a 14-year-old male, was at a friend's house for a sleepover in Moss Bluff, Louisiana, on Saturday, May 26, 2018. The gathering took a tragic turn when another 14-year-old boy at the home picked up a gun. Believing the firearm was unloaded, he pointed it at Warren and pulled the trigger. The gun discharged, and a single bullet struck Warren in the chest.
Emergency services were called to the residence, but the wound proved fatal.
Warren Wimberly was pronounced dead, leaving his family and the community in shock. He had just completed the 8th grade at Moss Bluff Middle School and was eagerly anticipating the start of high school. Those who knew him remembered a vibrant and energetic teenager who loved riding his 4-wheeler, swimming, and dancing. His smile was said to light up any room he entered.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office launched a homicide investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event. An officer confirmed that the teenage shooter did not realize the gun he was handling was loaded when it fired. The incident was widely reported as an accidental shooting. Despite the tragic nature of the event, and the confirmation that another juvenile was responsible for the fatal shot, information regarding any subsequent arrests or the filing of charges against the shooter or any adults who may have owned the firearm is not publicly available. The focus of public statements at the time was on the devastating loss and the importance of gun safety awareness for parents and children.
