Two-year-old Warren "Bennett" Oser accidentally shot himself in the head with a 40-caliber Smith & Wesson at the family's home in Johnston County, North Carolina, on October 16, 2022. The child gained access to the firearm from his father's truck, where three guns with no safeties had been left unsecured while the father was nearby fixing a lawnmower. The parents called 911 immediately, and the boy later died at the hospital. The father, Warren Tyler Oser, was charged with and pleaded guilty to failure to store firearms to protect a minor, receiving probation and community service promoting gun safety.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The news article explicitly describes a firearm incident: "his 2-year-old son Warren 'Bennett' Oser shot himself in the head at the family's home on October 16." The child accessed "a 40-caliber Smith & Wesson" from among "three firearms with no safeties on" left in the father's truck.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article states that "three firearms with no safeties on were left in Oser's truck" and the child "gained access to one of the firearms...while his father was nearby fixing a lawnmower." The father was charged with "failure to store firearms to protect a minor," which implies inappropriate supervision in that the child was able to access unsecured lethal weapons while the father was occupied with another task.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The article identifies Warren Tyler Oser as "The father of a 2-year-old" and refers to the child as "his 2-year-old son." The father left three unsecured firearms in his truck, and the child gained access to one of them. Oser pleaded guilty to "failure to store firearms to protect a minor."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The article states: "Warren Tyler Oser pleaded guilty to failure to store firearms to protect a minor. He was given probation and ordered to perform community service acts that promote gun safety around minors." The father was charged and convicted in connection with the child's death.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article describes a notable sentencing outcome: the father received only probation and was "ordered to perform community service acts that promote gun safety around minors" rather than incarceration. The ADA's statement is also notable: "the case required the district attorney's office to balance sympathy for the loss of a loved one against the need to promote gun safety and responsibility, especially around minors, in Johnston County." This framing of the prosecution's approach and the lenient sentencing outcome may be relevant to researchers studying how firearm negligence cases involving child deaths are adjudicated.
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