In a heartbreaking incident, a two-year-old boy lost his life after accidentally shooting himself with a firearm he discovered inside his grandmother’s purse. The local coroner’s office confirmed that the child, identified as Noah Jenkins, succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head earlier this week.
Noah was at his grandmother’s home with his aunt while his parents were at work. According to authorities, the young boy found a firearm within his grandmother’s purse, which was left on the bed. In a matter of moments, he managed to unzip the purse, retrieve the gun—a teal Glock pistol—and accidentally discharged it, Greenville County Coroner Mark Davis explained. Emergency services responded swiftly, but Noah was declared dead en route to the hospital.
His grandmother, Linda Harris, had decided to stop working to care for her grandson, as reported by a local news outlet. They had just returned home from an outing when Linda placed her purse on the bed and stepped away briefly. Within seconds, Noah demonstrated an alarming level of ingenuity by accessing the weapon.
Linda’s husband, James Harris, shared with reporters that they are licensed firearm owners who have undergone safety training. “The purse was zipped and stored away, so we never imagined he could figure it out,” James stated. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and have confiscated the firearm in question. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is actively looking into the case, and local news organizations have submitted requests for information related to the shooting.
Shannon Hayes, founder of a local advocacy group, has called for accountability, emphasizing the need for responsible firearm storage to prevent such tragic accidents. As of now, no charges have been filed, but the investigation continues.
Sadly, incidents like this are not isolated. Earlier this year, a young boy accidentally shot his sister with a firearm he discovered in a family vehicle. In response to this tragedy, Noah’s family has established a GoFundMe page to assist with medical and funeral expenses, stating, “Most of Noah’s funeral costs have been generously covered, and any funds raised will go directly to the family for medical bills and related expenses from this devastating event.”
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In summary, the loss of young Noah Jenkins serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of gun safety and responsible ownership. The investigation is ongoing, and the family is seeking community support during this difficult time.