Elijah Morin, a 16-year-old boy from Lubbock, Texas, tragically died on December 22, 2020, due to a gunshot wound. The incident occurred at the home of Kimberly Hozempa, a 67-year-old neighbor, who was cleaning his gun when it accidentally discharged. The bullet went through a wall and struck Elijah, who was visiting the home at the time. Despite immediate medical attention, Elijah was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kimberly Hozempa was charged with criminally negligent homicide.
He admitted to failing to follow basic firearm safety rules, such as ensuring the gun was unloaded and pointed in a safe direction. During the investigation, Hozempa cooperated with the police and voluntarily gave a statement. He was later sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days of shock jail time spread over the probation period. Additionally, he is prohibited from possessing firearms for the duration of his probation.
Elijah was remembered by his family and friends as a generous, loving, and kind individual. His mother, Maria Morin, described him as having a bright future ahead of him and expressed forgiveness towards Hozempa, acknowledging that it was an accident but emphasizing the importance of proper safety precautions.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of negligent firearm handling and the importance of adhering to safety protocols to prevent such tragedies.
