Authorities arrested a father in Florida over the fatal shooting of a mother by her toddler, who was said to have found his gun in a 'Paw Patrol' backpack

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Authorities arrested a father in Florida over the fatal shooting of a mother by her toddler, who was said to have found his gun in a 'Paw Patrol' backpack
Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images
  • A Florida toddler fatally shot his mother while she was on a Zoom call.
  • An investigation found the handgun used was left unsecured on the ground in a "Paw Patrol" backpack.
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The Florida police have made an arrest over the fatal shooting in August of a woman by her toddler during a work video call.

The Seminole County sheriff's office arrested the child's father, Veondre Avery, on Tuesday and charged him with manslaughter and failure to securely store a firearm in connection to Shamaya Lynn's death.

According to an investigation from Florida's state attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit, the police concluded that the gun used belonged to Avery and that Avery had left a "Paw Patrol"-themed backpack containing the firearm on the floor and unsecured before leaving his home.

"While Avery was out of the home, Lynn had been on the video conference call with coworkers," the state attorney's office said in a statement. "Unknown to her, their 2-year-old child had gotten possession of the firearm, and moved to a position behind Lynn, firing a single shot striking her."

One of Lynn's coworkers in the conference call was the first to report the incident to 911.

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"I don't know where to begin," the coworker said on the phone, adding: "One of the girls passed out she was bleeding. She has the camera on. Her baby is crying in the back."

Avery also called emergency services after he returned home and discovered his girlfriend's body, but it was too late - Lynn was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to The Washington Post, Avery faces up to 15 years in prison for the manslaughter charge as well as a $10,000 fine and 15 years of probation.

Avery is being held without bond in Seminole County Jail. A trial date has not been set.

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