A man whose grandson was shot and killed with a loaded, unlocked gun in his home was sentenced to a minimum of 38 months to a maximum of 15 years in prison for violating Michigan’s new safe storage law. Karl Robart pleaded no contest in August.
In April, Robart and his wife, Theresa Robart, left a 12-gauge shotgun behind a bedroom door in their home, close to where their grandkids were watching a movie. Braxton Dykstra, 5, was shot when his 6-year-old cousin picked up the gun and pulled the trigger, unintentionally killing Braxton.
Michigan’s safe storage law requires gun owners to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked in a box or container if it’s known that a minor is likely to be here.
Robart told police he had no idea the weapon was loaded and said it has been in the same spot for ten years.
Ahead of the sentencing, Braxton’s father gave an emotional impact statement.
“The people we thought we could trust with our kids failed,” Domynic Dykstra said. “I will never get to hug my son again. I will never get to hear his precious voice or his silly laugh.”
Newaygo County Circuit Court Judge Robert Springsteed said Braxton’s death was avoidable.
“All you had to do was listen to the people in your life that were telling you to put these loaded guns away and you didn’t,” he said.
Braxton’s grandmother Theresa was also charged in the incident. Her trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 30.
