Jedon Edmond Jr., a two-year-old boy from Kansas City, Missouri, was just a month away from his third birthday in the summer of 2017. Remembered as a funny, loving, and caring child, his life was cut tragically short in an instant.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, August 6, 2017, a 911 call was made from an apartment in south Kansas City. At approximately 1:13 a.m., officers from the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 9600 block of Lydia Avenue for a reported shooting. When they arrived, they found young Jedon inside the home, suffering from a single, catastrophic gunshot wound. His father, mother, and a younger sibling were all present in the apartment at the time.
Emergency medical personnel rushed Jedon to a nearby hospital, but his injury was too severe. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Police later confirmed that the wound was to his face.
Initial confusion at the scene led to some early reports stating the victim was five years old, but authorities soon corrected the information, identifying the child as Jedon Edmond Jr., age two.
The investigation that followed determined that Jedon had found a gun within the family’s apartment and had accidentally shot himself. The death was characterized as an unintentional, self-inflicted shooting. Jedon’s father, who made the call to police, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The incident highlighted the importance of firearm safety, with a neighbor telling reporters, "This is what happens when you don't lock your gun up... I know everyone's heart is going out to this family because they lost a kid. It's senseless."
Jedon’s death was part of a devastating trend of gun violence involving children, both locally and nationally. His was one of several unintentional shootings involving children in the Kansas City area that year. A broader report on gun violence in America noted that on the same day Jedon died, numerous other children across the country were killed or injured by firearms in separate incidents, painting a grim picture of a nationwide crisis. One emergency room doctor at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, who has treated hundreds of pediatric gunshot victims, has spoken about the staggering statistics, noting that among high-income nations, the vast majority of children under 15 killed by gunfire lived in the United States.
In the days following the shooting, the Kansas City Police Department continued its investigation. However, no public announcements were made regarding any charges being filed in connection with the unsecured firearm that led to Jedon's death. The case remains a heartbreaking example of what can happen when a child gains access to a weapon.
The case is not listed as an active homicide investigation, as the wound was determined to be self-inflicted. As of the latest available information, the investigation into the circumstances of the accidental shooting is concluded. There is no active reward or tip line associated with this case. Jedon is remembered as an "angel baby," a handsome little boy whose life ended far too soon.
