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2 accidental shootings in neighboring Maryland counties kill 2 women
For the second time in nine days, and accidental shooting has taken the life of a woman living in D.C.'s Maryland suburbs.
FORT WASHINGTON, Md. - Prince George’s County police said Monday that a Fort Washington man is charged with manslaughter after he accidentally shot his girlfriend Friday night.
According to investigators, Fransico Alvarado Revelo, 22, was "handling" a gun when it discharged. The round struck and killed 22-year-old Gabriela Melendez.
Melendez was dead when investigators arrived.
READ MORE: Store clerk fatally shot during attempted robbery in Fort Washington
Revelo is charged with manslaughter and reckless endangerment, and is being held without bond.
The shooting comes nine days after a pregnant woman was shot and killed inside a car in Anne Arundel County.
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Police say Latisha Adams, 33, was driving in Laurel with her boyfriend and his friend, Ronald Smith, who was sitting in the back.
Smith told police he was "manipulating" his handgun when he fired one round into the seat, striking Adams. Smith told police it was an accident.
READ MORE: Man found shot dead inside vehicle after crash in Prince George’s County
Smith was charged with manslaughter, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony/violent crime, illegal possession of a regulated firearm. Smith has been jailed with no bond.
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2020 was a record year for gun sales in the U.S. with 21 million guns sold, a 60 percent spike from the year before.
"We also know about 8.4 million people bought a gun for the first time," said Mark Oliva, with the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
The organization provides gun safety kits and locks that you can get for free through local police departments in the region.
Reckless behavior by gun owners often extends to children. So far this year there have been least 93 unintentional shootings by children, according to research by the gun control group Everytown.
Just days ago in Texas, police say a 9-year-old boy shot his 7-year-old brother. The child is expected to survive.