Twin Boys Shot with Unsecured Gun: Parents Face Serious Charges
In a heart-wrenching incident that highlights the critical importance of gun safety in homes with children, the parents of 4-year-old twin boys are now facing serious legal charges after their children allegedly shot themselves with an unsecured firearm. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported that Keishara Goodrum, 39, and Maurice Bright, 40, were arrested following the incident at their Florida home. Goodrum faces two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm, while Bright, who has a prior felony conviction, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm. This devastating situation serves as a painful reminder of how quickly childhood curiosity can turn tragic when proper safety measures aren’t in place.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting paint a picture of a routine morning gone horribly wrong. According to statements provided to authorities, neither parent witnessed the actual shooting. Goodrum was reportedly preparing breakfast in the kitchen for her five children, while Bright was outside cooking on the grill when they heard what was described as a loud “pop” from inside their home. What followed was undoubtedly every parent’s nightmare—discovering their young children seriously injured by gunfire in what should have been the safety of their own home. The twins were rushed to AdventHealth East Orlando hospital by their parents and later transferred to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, where they remain in critical but stable condition as they receive specialized pediatric care.
During her interview with deputies, Goodrum made the devastating admission that she had been drinking alcohol the night before the incident and had left a firearm under a couch cushion—forgetting to secure it properly before going to bed. This lapse in judgment created a situation where the curious 4-year-old twins could easily access the dangerous weapon. For many families, this scenario represents one of the most frightening aspects of gun ownership—the knowledge that a single moment of forgetfulness or carelessness can lead to life-altering consequences. Child development experts consistently remind us that young children naturally explore their environments without understanding potential dangers, making secure storage of firearms an absolute necessity in homes where children are present.
This incident joins a troubling pattern of unintentional shootings involving children accessing unsecured firearms across the United States. According to data from organizations that track such events, hundreds of children gain access to firearms and unintentionally shoot themselves or others each year—with many cases involving preschool-aged children similar to these twins. What makes these statistics particularly heartbreaking is that nearly all such incidents could be prevented through proper gun storage practices. Safety advocates emphasize that firearms should be stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition, with keys or combinations kept out of children’s reach. Some states have enacted laws specifically addressing the secure storage of firearms in homes with children, though regulations vary widely across the country.
The legal charges facing Goodrum and Bright reflect the serious nature of the incident and society’s growing recognition that gun owners must be held accountable for securing their weapons. Child neglect charges in cases involving unsecured firearms typically focus on the failure to provide necessary supervision or create a safe environment for children—fundamental parental responsibilities. For Bright, the additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon highlights another layer of legal violation that preceded the shooting. The case raises complex questions about responsibility, accountability, and the balance between individual rights and the protection of vulnerable children who cannot protect themselves. While the legal process will determine the specific consequences for these parents, they already face the devastating emotional reality of their children’s suffering.
As this family navigates the medical uncertainties and legal proceedings ahead, their story serves as a powerful cautionary tale for other families. Public health experts, gun safety advocates, and law enforcement officials frequently emphasize that responsible gun ownership requires constant vigilance—particularly in homes with children. Simple safety measures like using proper gun safes, trigger locks, or secure storage cabinets can prevent tragedies like this one. Beyond the physical tools, regular conversations with children about gun safety (while still ensuring guns remain inaccessible) form another layer of protection. For now, the focus remains on the recovery of these young boys, whose lives have been forever altered by what appears to be a preventable tragedy—one that reminds us all that when it comes to firearms and children, there is no margin for error in maintaining proper safety protocols.
