Ten-year-old Teon K. Toodie Burwell died after an accidental shooting at his home on the 3700 block of Angela Drive in Richmond, Virginia, on the evening of March 16, 2021. While playing, he found a loaded firearm and accidentally shot himself in front of his 12-year-old brother. The single bullet struck a main artery; emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he died shortly after arrival.

Richmond Police investigated and determined the shooting was a tragic accident; no suspects were sought and no charges were filed. The Medical Examiner’s office handled the official determination of cause and manner of death. Teon’s family—his mother, older sister and grandmother Louise Shelton—described him as joyful, fond of dressing well and taking pictures, and hoping to try out for the basketball team. The family established a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.

If anyone has information about how the firearm came to be unsecured or remembers this neighborhood on March 16, please share what you know.