Shelby County, TN – A 5-year-old child died after allegedly gaining access to a handgun and accidentally shooting themselves inside a southeast Shelby County home Sunday, authorities said. The child’s father has been arrested and charged.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 4:40 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, to a report of a shooting with injuries in the 7600 block of Baysweet Drive, southeast of Memphis.
Deputies found the child in the front yard suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately began providing aid. Shelby County Fire personnel transported the child in critical condition to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where the child was later pronounced dead.
Sheriff’s detectives determined the child had allegedly been left unattended and was able to access a handgun inside the residence, resulting in what investigators described as an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The child’s father, identified by authorities as 24-year-old Marquavious Washington, was taken into custody at the scene.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Washington is charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and aggravated child neglect. The allegations against him have not been proven in court.
Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. used the incident to urge gun owners to secure their firearms.
“Proper gun storage saves lives; keeping your weapons locked away and out of reach ensures our children and community stay safe,” Bonner said.
The Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to the child’s family and urged residents to securely store firearms to prevent children and other unauthorized individuals from accessing them.
Authorities did not identify the child in the announcement.
