On June 16, 2023, shortly before 7:00 a.m., 6-year-old Alexzander Pope was fatally shot at his home at 500 Maple Street in Lohrville, Iowa, after he picked up one of several unsecured loaded handguns that his father, Justin Richard Pope (28), had left easily accessible in the residence where multiple children under the age of 14 lived. The firearms were not secured by trigger locks or stored in locked containers. The child's father was charged over four months later with child endangerment resulting in death, a Class B felony carrying up to 25 years in prison, and making firearms available to a minor. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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 death was caused by a firearm. The messengernews.net article states: "6-year-old Alexzander Pope picked up one of the loaded handguns, which fired and struck the child, killing him." The 1380kcim.com article describes him as "found dead of an accidental gunshot wound." The criminal complaints reference loaded handguns left accessible to minors.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The father left loaded, unsecured firearms accessible to his 6-year-old child. The messengernews.net article states that Pope "left firearms easily accessible in areas of his residence where minors reside," and notes that the firearms "weren't secured by a trigger lock mechanism or stored in a locked box or container." This constitutes inappropriate supervision of both the child and the dangerous items in the home, which directly led to the child's death.
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 messengernews.net article identifies Justin Richard Pope as the child's father: "A Calhoun County father has been charged with felony child endangerment, months after his 6-year-old son was fatally shot while handling an unsecured firearm he found in the home." The father's negligence in leaving loaded firearms accessible directly caused the child's death, and he was charged accordingly.
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?
Justin Richard Pope was charged with child endangerment resulting in death (Class B felony) and making firearms available to a minor. The messengernews.net article states: "Justin Richard Pope, 28, of Lohrville, has been charged with child endangerment resulting in death, a Class B felony, and making firearms available to a minor." The carrollspaper.com article confirms he "pleaded not guilty to charges of child endangerment resulting in death and making firearms available to a minor."
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
Several notable details emerge. First, the messengernews.net article notes that "multiple children under the age of 14 resided in the home," indicating other children were also at risk from the unsecured firearms. Second, the criminal complaint specifies that the firearms "weren't secured by a trigger lock mechanism or stored in a locked box or container," which is directly relevant to firearms storage legislation. Third, charging took over four months: "Justin Pope was charged on Oct. 19, just over four months after the fatal shooting." Fourth, there is a discrepancy in the misdemeanor classification — the messengernews.net article calls it an "aggravated misdemeanor" while the 1380kcim.com article calls it a "serious misdemeanor."
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