In the quiet town of Oakland, Maine, a heartbreaking incident unfolded on July 24, 2018, forever changing the lives of a young family. Eight-year-old Parker Millard Stevens, a White male, was found deceased in his home from a single gunshot wound. The devastating event occurred when Parker discovered his father's 12-gauge shotgun in his parents' second-floor closet.
On that summer afternoon, while his mother and three younger siblings were downstairs, Parker was handling the firearm when
it discharged. His mother, Sara Stevens, made the tragic discovery at around 6 p.m. when she went to check on him. The shot was reportedly not heard by the family members on the first floor of the house. Parker's father, Wade Stevens, was at work at the time and returned home immediately upon being notified.
Maine State Police detectives investigated the shooting and determined that it was a self-inflicted wound. Their investigation revealed that the shotgun had eight shells in its magazine tube, and it appeared that Parker had managed to rack one of the shells into the chamber before the gun fired. The authorities treated the death as a tragic accident, and no arrests were made nor were any suspects sought in connection with the incident.
The community was deeply saddened by the loss of the young boy, who was about to enter the fourth grade at Williams Elementary School. Grief counselors were made available at the school to support students, parents, and staff who were affected by the tragedy. In the wake of the incident, Maine State Police emphasized the critical importance of safe gun storage, urging gun owners to keep firearms unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition, especially in homes with children.
