2-year-old in Rocky Mount critical condition after shooting, 17-year-old uncle charged

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- A 2-year-old is in critical condition after getting hold of a gun in Rocky Mount.

On Monday at 11:19 p.m., the Rocky Mount Police Department (RMPD) responded to Nash General Hospital for a shooting victim.

According to Rocky Mount police, when officers arrived, they found a toddler with a gunshot wound.

An initial investigation revealed that the incident occurred on Nelson Street in Rocky Mount. Police say a gun was left unattended and that is when the 2-year-old found it and accidentally shot themself.

A 17-year-old suspect is facing charges that include possession of a handgun by a minor, possession of a stolen firearm, and failure to store a firearm to protect minors.

The Rocky Mount Police Department will continue to work closely with the Nash County District Attorney's Office regarding any possible additional charges.

RMPD Captain Walter Keeter said in a press conference Tuesday that the 17-year-old is the uncle of the child who was shot. Police report that the 17-year-old brought two semi-automatic handguns into the home. One of them was reported stolen out of Cary. Captain Keeter also said that several other people were inside the house at the time of the shooting, including the child's parents, but said they were not in the room at the time of the shooting.

Gerald Givens Jr. knows what this family is going through; his two-year-old cousin died a few years ago in a very similar situation after getting access to his father's firearm.

Guns are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in our country. Not car accidents, not illnesses - guns," Givens told ABC11. "A two-year-old should never be able to have access to a firearm. This tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of unsecured weapons in our homes."

Givens founded an organization called Raleigh Boots on the Ground, aiming to disrupt the cycle of gun violence in our community. He hopes more adults begin to understand how critical safe gun storage can be.

"It's up to the adults. It's not the children to ensure firearms are secure. No child should have to carry the burden of adult negligence when it comes to gun safety," he said.

They encourage adults to store their guns in a safe or use gun locks, always ensure weapons are unloaded, and store ammunition away from firearms.

He also urges parents to talk to their kids about how dangerous guns can be.

"Every child deserves to grow up safe. Every accidental shooting is preventable. We can and we must do better together," Givens told ABC11 News.

To learn more about safe gun storage, click here.

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