Toddler, 2, dies after accidentally shooting himself while left alone in car as parents buy fireworks at stand nearby

Nakyzi Odums was left alone in the car on the afternoon of July 3 in a Walmart car park while his parents were buying fireworks at a nearby stand, according to local news outlet WALB. Witnesses told police that Nakyzi’s parents heard the gunshot and ran back to their car where they found the boy had shot himself in the chest. The child was rushed to the hospital in Douglas, Georgia, and later transferred to a trauma center in Jacksonville, Florida, where he died on Saturday (6 July), police said in a Facebook post. Douglas Police Chief Brannen Pruette said investigators are trying to figure out how the toddler got a hold of the gun. “Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.

WALB reported that witnesses said Nakyzi was sitting in the front seat of the car, and that the gun may have been in the side of the car door. Police Chief Pruette said: “You’re allowed to have a gun in the car, but when there’s a child involved, you need to make sure that the gun is secure so that the child doesn’t have access to it.”

It’s unclear if the parents will face charges in the incident. Police said: “Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”

The child’s grandmother Candi Brinson has created a GoFundMe for the family to “request support of burial for our sweet baby” and to “allow mom and dad time to grieve properly”. She said that Nakyzi was “the light and love for his parents” and “smiled brightly, laughed wholeheartedly and loved unconditionally”. She added: “If it’s in your heart and your will. Please donate anything you desire. Thank you all so much in advance”.