In a heartbreaking and tragic accident, a five-year-old boy in Georgia was shot and killed by his twin brother after they found a loaded gun in their mother’s bedroom. The incident has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about gun safety inside homes with children.
5-Year-Old Dies After Accidental Shooting by Twin
Police in DeKalb County, Georgia, responded to a call on Thursday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. at an apartment on Pleasant Point Drive in Decatur. When officers arrived, they found a young boy, later identified as Jeremiah George Jr., suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to the hospital but sadly did not survive.
Mother Charged With Murder and Child Cruelty
Authorities say that 25-year-old Lanecia Bennett, the boys’ mother, is being charged with second-degree murder and child cruelty. According to police, the tragic accident happened when the twin brothers were playing in their mother’s bedroom.
They found her loaded gun inside her purse on a bedside table. The gun was not secured or locked. One of the twins accidentally fired it, hitting Jeremiah and causing his death.
At the time of the shooting, no other adults were present in the home apart from Bennett.
Police Stress Gun Safety for Parents
The DeKalb Police Department is still investigating the full details of the incident. However, officers are using this case to highlight the importance of proper gun storage, especially in homes with children.
Police spokesman Blaine Clark reminded the public in a press release that gun owners should keep firearms safely locked and out of reach. The department even offers free gun safes for certain types of firearms.
Bond Set After Emergency Court Hearing
After her arrest, Bennett was held without bond at the DeKalb County Jail. Her lawyers quickly requested an emergency bond hearing. On Friday, a judge granted her bond at $30,000, which she has since posted. Bennett is now out of jail but remains under legal watch.
In a statement, her attorneys shared that she is deeply heartbroken. “Ms. Bennett is grieving the unexpected loss of her son and is now facing the painful task of planning his funeral. Her surviving son needs her now more than ever,” they said.
Neighbors React to Tragic News
Local residents were left stunned by the tragedy. Chase Houle, a neighbor, spoke to local news station WXIA. He said he saw paramedics entering the apartment and carrying the young boy out while performing CPR.
“That could be my child, that could be anyone’s child. I instantly got emotional,” said Houle, who is also a father of young children.
This heartbreaking incident is a powerful reminder of the risks of leaving firearms within the reach of children. While the legal case moves forward, the focus remains on the devastating loss of a young life and the importance of preventing such accidents in the future.
Authorities continue to urge gun owners to lock up their weapons responsibly. This one act of carelessness has left a mother grieving and a family forever changed.
