BENSON – The father of a two year-old child who fatally shot himself in the head while playing with a loaded handgun will face charges.
On Monday, the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office announced criminal charges have been filed against Warren Tyler Oser, the father of two year-old Warren Bennett Oser, for failure to properly and safely store firearms to protect minors. The child died October 16, 2022 from a single gunshot wound to the head after finding his father’s loaded Smith and Wesson 40 caliber handgun in the front seat of his father’s truck.
The truck was parked behind their home in the 900 block of West Watson Road in the McGee’s Crossroads community. Authorities said the door to the truck was open when the child climbed inside and found the handgun.
District Attorney Susan Doyle said, “My heart goes out to the parents as they grieve the loss of their son. These tragedies are 100 percent preventable by safely storing all weapons away from minor children as required by statute. This is not about the rightful ownership of guns. This is about the responsibility of gun owners to protect minors by ensuring all weapons are kept safely away from children.”
Don’t you think the father and mother suffered enough with the lost of their child? They don’t need this! They don’t need new stress and guilt in their lives, instead of punishing them how come the District Attorney didn’t punish a certain police officer by revoking their certification after being charged with a crime? That officer in a certain town is still working there and “enforcing” laws that himself can’t even follow after being caught drunk with a concealed firearm?
The other side of the coin Jessica is that if there were not laws on the books for this, and you did not enforce them, you allow and condone poor choices to be made by parents/guardians who are supposed to be taking care of children. It is called negligence in the extreme when death occurs because you were careless. Yes, it was an accident, but it was totally preventable.
Jessica- are you of the same mindset if a drunk parent gets behind the wheel with their child in the car- has an accident and the child get killed. I hope you don’t have kids if you are so lax about their safety. And please don’t bring up their pain and suffering – if that’s the case, then let all the people in jail/prison tell of their regret, pain and suffering of committing their crimes, if they truly do have any (I am sure some do) and let them go free. I am guessing you aren’t for that solution though are you? I don’t like every single law on the books either to be honest, but I don’t get to pick and choose. Besides, it isn’t like Daddy is going to spend any time in prison.
Half of those in jail still proclaim their innocence….never admitting to their actual crimes against others. Never met an honest crook.
This sends a message to other parents not to make the same stupid mistake. I’m as pro-2A as they come (repeal the NFA!), but this father should be held accountable. I’d expect to go to jail if I did this, as a gun owner, because that is where my butt would belong. It’s parents’ job to teach proper gun safety, and to discipline a child who touches a gun without permission; yes, even a two year old.
This is totally wrong on the part of Susan Doyle. Hopefully she is ready for retirement as the voters remember this when her name comes up for election and how she has allowed police officers and county commissioners to still serve the public after crimes and allegations.
Exactly đź’Ż percent spot on
The commissioner problem isn’t even a case no more that case is out of the system. It was paid and over with. The state should have picked that case up This system around here is corrupt
This is exactly how the law is suppose to work. If a person wants to own a fire arm then why is it wrong to ask that they use safety measures to keep loaded weapons away from children who do not understand it is not a toy? Yes, this is a terrible tragedy for the family – any family that loses a child in this manner – however it is a preventable tragedy. Much like having a swimming pool, if you do not put safety measures in place and have a small child who cannot swim, all it takes is taking your eye off them for a few seconds and you have a drowning. I hate this happened to this family and this precious little boy, but the dad messed up and I am sure he would give his own life to go back in time and redo those last few moments. If nothing else I would like for him to learn more about fire arm safety and then travel to different venues to speak to others about the importance of it in the hopes that it can save lives.
This is exactly what responsible gun ownership looks like. If you can’t secure your weapon from a 2-year-old, you deserve prison!
This is another reason some people shouldn’t own guns. If you’re not smart enough to secure your gun to prevent your own child from something like this, your not smart enough to own a gun. I do feel for the parents loss, but the laws the law and the loss falls solely on the gun owner.
Disappointed in you Susan Doyle. This was a tragic accident. You need to focus on the town and all the wrong doing there, but no its just swept under the rug. Go figure. There is NOTHING you can charge this father with that is worse than what he and his family already feel.
Break laws, face consequences.
I think he should be charged, as there must be laws. He should get off with suspended sentence. If not by the grace of God this could be a lot of us. My guns weren’t locked when my kids were children. I had them out of reach but all it takes is one time. Prayers for the family.
I can only laugh at the people upset at Susan Doyle. I am sorry, but when did she leave a loaded gun in the car for a kid to get ahold of? He should be charged. Yes, its a horrible accident but it easily could have been avoided if he didnt leave his gun out in the open loaded with a little child. That is on him. BOOK EM
Mr. Oser, you really need to consider doing something that will honor the memories of your son who lost his life by no fault of his own. Ms. Susan Doyle has chosen to honor your sons life with charges that almost guarantee you will never lose a day of freedom. Her choice to charge you will give your son the public honor and respect and that your sons life wasn’t worthless and just as valuable as any age of a human being. How could any dad in this position facing these charges that almost guarantee never to lose a day of freedom even consider seeking a legal defense is beyond my understanding? Honor your son Mr. Oser and show some compassion and honor to your son by throwing yourself to the mercy of Ms. Susan Doyle and the Court. Has life in this country gotten so cheap that even a two year old is not worth fighting for?
Pretty sure that family suffered enough