The Blount County Sheriff’s Office responded to what appeared to be an accidental shooting involving a child on Thursday morning.
Deputies were dispatched to the scene on Orchard Circle at 10 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies noticed that a two-year-old child was breathing but unresponsive, so they rendered medical aid. Hayden Police Department also responded.
Medical first responders were called to the scene, but a helicopter evacuation was unavailable due to the weather. The child was transported to Children’s of Alabama by ambulance, where he later died.
Investigators found a .380 handgun on the scene, believed to be the weapon that killed the child.
Moon said multiple firearms were found inside the home. Moon encouraged citizens to secure their firearms to ensure children do not have access to them.
“I’m a firm believer in the Second Amendment,” Sheriff Mark Moon said. “I have multiple firearms, but I have taught my children from the time they were old enough to really understand. I taught them firearm safety.”
The mother of the child, Evelyn Etress, spoke with investigators, and they took her into custody on a 48-hour investigative hold. No charges have been filed.
“Through just our initial investigation at this point, what we have come to is a possible accidental discharge of this firearm that resulted in this child being struck in the head,” Moon said.
The Department of Human Resources (DHR) responded to the scene, and other children have been placed in DHR custody.
“I’m asking for the community to please pray for those siblings, pray for the family, pray for my investigators and everybody who responded to the scene,” Moon added. “It’s always hard dealing with any unnatural death or any death out in the field, but as you can probably imagine, when it involves a child, it hits even harder.”
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