DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A South Florida woman said her 14-year-old son died Thursday after he accidentally shot himself at a gun range in Deerfield Beach.
The teen was identified by his mother as Vincent Colonna.
The shooting was reported about 2 p.m. Thursday at Gun World of South Florida at 1700 S. Powerline Road.
Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Gina Carter said the teen was airlifted to North Broward Medical Center, where he died at 2:42 p.m.
Carter said homicide detectives are investigating the shooting, which appeared to be a suicide.
But the teen's mother, Joana Colonna, told Local 10 News that she knows that her only child wouldn't commit suicide and said the shooting was an accident. She said to suggest otherwise has only added to his family's grief.
"Everything was in order, so no, he didn't do this. It was an accident," Colonna said.
She said Vincent has been shooting with his father since he was 10 years old and said her ex-husband also believes that the shooting was an accident.
"Vincent has gone to the shooting range probably since he was 10 years old, so he knew about it," Colonna said.
She said Vincent's father was with him at the gun range when the shooting happened and said her son showed no signs of emotional distress.
The Broward Sheriff's Office told Colonna that she may request surveillance video of the shooting from homicide detectives, who retrieved it from the gun range.
Colonna said Vincent was looking forward to spending the upcoming Fourth of July holiday at a hotel and had an online chess tournament on Sunday.
"I know there was nothing wrong. I know that," Colonna said. "Vincent was happy. He knew we were going to the hotel, we were going to go to the museum, everything. Vincent was a happy kid. No, he did not do this. Vincent did not commit suicide."
The shooting remains under investigation.
Vincent's funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.