16-year-old shot dead after friends pass gun around ID’d

A 16-year-old boy who brought a gun during a visit with friends Sunday night was shot dead when the youths took turns posing with the weapon for social media videos.

The gunshot victim was identified as Tyron Smith, who was pronounced dead at Miami Valley Hospital, according to Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger.

Police were called after 10 p.m. to the 700 block of Burwood Avenue in the Lakeview neighborhood of southwest Dayton for a report of a gunshot wound, said Maj. Brian Johns.

There were four teens in the home with the gun and a fifth juvenile upstairs playing video games, he said.

“They’re inside the home, they’re passing the handgun around and taking videos with their phone, I believe for social media, to share on social media — which is an issue we have far too often in the city of Dayton and other places.

“As the gun was being passed around one of the juveniles holding the gun accidentally discharged the firearm and struck the victim in the chest, taking his life,” Johns said.

Smith’s death is another reminder of the importance for gun owners to keep guns inaccessible to children and teens, the major said.

“It’s an issue that we continue to have, as far as youth having firearms with no adults around,” Johns said. “Sadly, this actually resulted in somebody’s death.”

About the Author