A mother is grappling with heartbreak after her 16-year-old daughter was charged with manslaughter, accused of accidentally shooting a friend. In an exclusive interview with FOX 35 News on Monday, the mother expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, insisting that her daughter had no intention of causing harm.
“This is a tremendous accident. I didn’t want this to happen, and my daughter didn’t want this to happen,” the mother said, emphasizing that the gun involved in the shooting did not belong to her daughter. She explained that the weapon should never have been brought into their home, and the teens should never have been playing with it. Now, she says, two families are left grieving in the aftermath.
The 16-year-old girl, whose identity is being withheld due to her age, is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of 16-year-old David Acker. The girl’s family describes the incident as life-shattering, not just for the victim’s family, but for their own as well.
“I lost him as an individual. I lost my daughter because she’s now incarcerated,” the mother lamented, reflecting on the devastating consequences of the accident.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, David Acker had brought the gun to the home on Easton Street. The sheriff’s office reports that Acker, the 16-year-old girl, and another friend were playing with the gun, pointing it at each other, when it accidentally discharged, resulting in Acker’s fatal injury.
“I called out for my daughter. David came into my room bleeding,” the mother recalled, describing the horrifying moment when she realized what had happened. She mentioned that she had previously warned Acker not to bring a gun into her home, saying, “I was specific. She knew. Her girlfriend knew. And David knew. Unfortunately, this happened, and I’m hurt.”
Last week, FOX 35 spoke with Acker’s family, who are seeking justice and remain uncertain about how the teenager obtained the firearm.
The mother of the charged teen views the shooting as a tragic accident and a painful lesson for all parents. “All parents should be attentive to our children. What are they doing? Where are they getting these guns from?” she urged, highlighting the importance of vigilance in preventing such tragedies.
The 16-year-old girl appeared in court on Monday morning, with another hearing scheduled later this month, as the legal process continues to unfold. The incident has left a community in mourning, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of firearms in the hands of young people.