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Background: Roseau County Courthouse in Roseau, Minn. (Google Maps). Inset: Theodore Stewart and Danielle Stewart (Facebook).
According to court documents, the distressing event occurred on September 4. McGregor was fatally shot in the neck when one of his older siblings inadvertently discharged a loaded .22 rifle. The weapon had been left on a bed, and although the older brother claimed he had not loaded bullets into the firearm, he admitted to not checking if it was already loaded, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Investigations revealed a staggering number of firearms in the family’s home. Law enforcement discovered 34 guns in total, with only one properly secured. Of these, 14 firearms were located in the Stewarts’ bedroom, many of which were loaded. Additionally, 13 more firearms were found in a nearby closet, and seven were placed in a closet by the front door, making them easily accessible to the children.
The Minnesota Star Tribune detailed the findings, emphasizing the dangerous accessibility of these weapons to the household’s younger members. The charges against the Stewarts underscore the critical importance of responsible gun storage, particularly in homes with children, to prevent such heart-wrenching tragedies.
The Minnesota Star Tribune’s reporting on the court documents revealed that police found 14 firearms in the Stewarts’ bedroom, “many of which were loaded.” In a closet near the bedroom were 13 more firearms and seven more were found in a closet by the front door, a total of 34 firearms in the home. Police stated, “All but one [firearm] was unsecured and in areas of the home easily accessible to the children.”
According to police, Theodore Stewart was not at home at the time of the shooting, having left for work. Danielle Stewart was reportedly walking outside the home. She accompanied McGregor to the hospital after he was shot. McGregor died at the hospital.
The Stewarts have four surviving children, ages 10 to 14 years old. After the shooting, they were placed in protective custody, an order that was rescinded a month later.
Theodore and Danielle Stewart were charged on Sept. 30 via summons and were not arrested. They are both scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 3.