In the small town of Fairmount, Indiana, a sense of sorrow befell the community with the unexpected passing of two-year-old Leighton Allen Owings on December 15, 2020. A vibrant and joyful toddler, Leighton was born on February 23, 2018, to his parents David Owings and Caci Seals. He was a spirited child who found delight in simple pleasures like driving his Jeep Power Wheel, the excitement of blowing bubbles, and the fun of running through a water hose. His love for his siblings was evident in the time they spent together, particularly when jumping on the trampoline. He also cherished holding his baby sister.
The tragic events unfolded inside his family's home. Leighton discovered a 9-millimeter Ruger handgun and, in a moment of unfortunate curiosity, the young boy accidentally discharged the weapon. The resulting gunshot wound proved to be fatal. At the time of the incident, his mother was in an adjacent room attending to his infant sister. Leighton was rushed to a local hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
The Indiana State Police led the investigation into the heartbreaking incident. After a thorough examination of the preliminary evidence, the authorities determined that the shooting was accidental. They concluded that Leighton had managed to get ahold of the firearm and unintentionally pulled the trigger. Consequently, the case was not treated as a criminal matter, and no arrests were made in connection with his death. The Grant County Prosecutor's office was consulted regarding potential criminal charges, but ultimately, no legal action was pursued against the family. The focus remained on the tragic and accidental nature of the event. Leighton's passing left his family, including his parents, brother, and sisters, in deep mourning.
