Three-year-old Jayceon Karter ONeal died on April 23, 2017, after suffering a single gunshot wound to the chest in his family home on Ford Street in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Warren County Coroner reported the weapon was a .380 caliber handgun and investigators concluded the wound was self-inflicted; it is believed Jayceon found his father’s handgun in a drawer and accidentally discharged it while playing.

Jayceon was in the living room when the shooting occurred. His father and a 16-year-old were present in the home at the time. The Vicksburg Police Department opened an investigation into how the child gained access to the firearm; in the immediate aftermath no decision had been announced about whether criminal charges would be filed.

If anyone knew Jayceon or has information about the circumstances that allowed a young child to reach a loaded handgun, please share what you know.