The family isn’t sure how the weapon ended up in her car.
Trigger Warning: This story mentions gun violence and the death of a minor that may be disturbing to readers.
A 4-year-old boy has died after he found a gun in his mother's car and shot at himself. The tragic incident took place outside a Publix store in Dekalb County, Georgia, around 5 pm on February 27, 2022. His mother was shopping inside, according to police, states NBC News.
The boy, identified as Miyell Hernandez, was with his 13-year-old cousin, and his 8-month-old sister when the accident took place. After the mother went inside, Miyell reportedly picked up an unsecured gun from inside the car and shot himself. After the gun went off, Miyell’s 13-year-old cousin ran inside the store to get help, but by then it was too late.
“When she turned, she saw my nephew ... she went for help and that's it,” Miyell's aunt Maria Hernandez told 11 Alive. He was rushed to the hospital but he was declared dead when he arrived. “Two bystanders called 911 and by then he was already gone.”
Miyell Hernandez was killed when he accidentally shot himself with a gun on Sunday. Investigators said he got the unsecured firearm when his mother went into a Publix in Lithonia and left him, an infant and his 13-year-old cousin in the car. https://t.co/4D7IRYidMD
— FOX 5 Atlanta (@FOX5Atlanta) March 3, 2022
Miyell’s other aunt, Guadalupe Woods, told the Daily Mail that the kids had been told to stay in the car while Miyell's mom went in to buy a birthday cake. “This moment will forever be remembered as my dad's birthday with the death of our only boy that we have besides my brother in our family,” she said.
The worst part is that the little one's grandmother has no idea where the gun came from. April Griffin told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that her daughter wasn’t a gun owner and their family isn’t sure how the weapon ended up in her car. “He’s innocent and he’s so pure,” she said, speaking of Miyell. “Even though he’s not here, we know he went to heaven. We know it."
Only the little one suffered injuries from the incident, but cops are still investigating what happened. So far, no arrests have been made. "We don't ever stop until we come to a conclusion, and so we are still actively investigating so we understand everything that happened," DeKalb Police Chief Mirtha Ramos said. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the Hernandez family,” Ramos added. “We're imploring gun owners to always keep their guns safe and secure.”
Miyell Hernandez Death – Obituary, 4-year-old shot to death in DeKalb https://t.co/e4FhfRR4uc
— Trending (@endobit1) March 1, 2022
A GoFundMe account has been created to help raise money for Miyell’s funeral. “We are asking for love and support to fund a tragic moment for our family,” the crowdfunding page states. “ We would like to pay for our nephew’s funeral, instead of cremation. Thank you for your love and support."
“RIP Miyell Hernandez our family’s beloved baby boy,” it reads. “We will keep your memor[ies] alive.”
References:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/miyell-hernandez-20182022
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe | Miyell Hernandez 2018-2022
