Alabama toddler finds father's legally purchased gun and accidentally kills himself
A toddler from Birmingham passed away earlier this week when he found his father's gun and accidentally shot himself in the face.
As reported by AL, the 2-year-old, Ke'Anthony Jelks, allegedly found the gun at around 10 am. However, authorities say the case is still unclassified at this time.
There is no evidence yet to prove that the toddler shot himself and authorities are investigating. Read more on our Twitter account, @amomama_usa.
According to Fire and Rescue Services personnel who responded to the incident, "multiple family members were on the scene" when they arrived.
Devastating news for a family in this Clayton County neighborhood. A 2-year-old boy grabs a gun while his dad is sleeping and accidentally shoots and kills himself. #11Alive pic.twitter.com/O8IsIwoj3h
— Ryan Kruger (@RyanKrugerTV) November 16, 2018
The boy's grandmother told reporters that she wasn't present at the time of the incident. Her daughter called her with the news.
Homicide detectives and technicians will fine-comb the apartment, along with Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith. The officer told reporters:
“It’s heartbreaking for all of us, for those who have kids for those and for those who don’t have kids. We can put ourselves in their situation, the family’s situation. It’s touching for all of us. It’s a sad day for this community."
Officer Jackson asked members of the public to practice gun safety at all times. Gun owners should know how to use a gun and ensure the gun is locked away.
The father had a legal permit for the gun that he carried on night shift duty. He had just returned home from work and "probably left the gun somewhere," according to the boy's grandmother.
4-year-old Alabama boy finds gun, shoots himself. News? There's none because this is "normal."
— Bryan Dawson (@BryanDawsonUSA) February 21, 2018
In 2015, more toddlers killed Americans than terrorists. Gun manufacturers aren't required to design guns with manual safeties that prevent trigger pulls. #NoRAhttps://t.co/I5fe6z85al pic.twitter.com/MU3R46K4mM
Ke'Anthony was described as "playful, fun and smart beyond his years." She added that he was "like an old man in a boy's body."
In a similar case, a two-year boy from Arkansas also lost his life when he found his father gun under a pillow on the bed.
Source: Facebook.com/wisn12
Source: Facebook.com/wisn12
He was rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The child's boy was in the living room when it happened.
Both parents are cooperation with authorities, and an initial investigation revealed that the shot was accidental.
Deputies responded to a home in Muscoy reference a shooting. Preliminary investigation leads investigators to believe that a 4-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old cousin. Investigation continues & updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) July 20, 2018
Back in July, a 2-year-old girl from Muscoy, California, accidentally shot and killed her cousin, 4. The full account can be read here.
