Giovanni Kopystenski

Name: Giovanni Kopystenski.
Died: July 21, 2009.
Age at death: 5.
Cause of death: Shooting.
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Details:
Giovanni was playful and mischievous, a great swimmer who loved Thomas the Tank Engine and McDonald’s chicken nuggets.

Giovanni lived with his father, who had custody despite a long history with local law enforcement, including drug and weapons charges. Giovanni’s father “sought extensive treatments and therapy” for the boy.

Giovanni’s father says he left a gun on the center console of the car while he and the boy were riding in it. Giovanni took the gun and shot himself in the head.

The boy’s grandmother, however, seems to think there might be more to the story; as far as she can remember, Giovanni’s father was always careful with the gun and never let Giovanni have access to it. She says the shooting “wasn’t just an accident. It was a nightmare.”

Giovanni’s father was arrested and pled guilty to “child abuse and neglect with substantial bodily harm”.

References:
Mother in Shock After Death of Son
Boy’s father charged with endangerment after fatal shooting
Sentencing delayed for father who admits guilt in boy’s fatal shooting
Grandmother disputes police report that boy was shot with gun left on vehicle’s console
Giovanni’s Legacy Foundation