On March 27, 2022, 3-year-old Bryson Jackson died after a loaded, unsecured AR-15 style pistol was found in his home in Memphis. The child, described as Black, was at home with his 4-year-old brother when he discovered the firearm and, reportedly believing it was a toy, shot himself in the head. His mother, Tinesha Jackson, and a friend, Tedrick Butler, had been out and left the children in the care of an uncle; the gun was later reported to belong to Butler and had been left unsecured in Tinesha Jackson’s bedroom.

Bryson was rushed to the hospital after his mother returned, but he did not survive. Law enforcement opened an investigation and both Tinesha Jackson and Tedrick Butler were charged with criminally negligent homicide. Butler faced additional charges including possession of prohibited weapons and tampering with evidence; his bond was set at two hundred thousand dollars. Tinesha Jackson was initially arrested and later released.

If anyone knew Bryson, his family, or has information about the circumstances in that home, please share what you know with the authorities.