A heartbreaking accident unfolded in Alabama when a young child discovered a loaded gun inside his family home, leading to the tragic death of a two-year-old boy.
The incident has sparked serious concern about firearm safety in households with children.
Evelyn Etress, 40, is now facing multiple charges, including manslaughter, aggravated child abuse, and drug-related offenses following the shooting of her son, Noah, on Wednesday.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization
Authorities were called to the scene around 10 a.m. after a shots-fired report.
Deputies found Noah with a gunshot wound to the head.
Despite still breathing when first discovered, paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
A Household with Six Children
At the time of the incident, Etress was the only adult present in the home, caring for six children.
Reports say three of the children were playing in the master bedroom when Etress heard a loud bang and rushed to see what had happened.
She found her son with a gunshot wound and a .380-caliber handgun lying in a closet.
Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey confirmed that six children were in the house at the time: Noah, two 4-year-old girls, an 8-year-old girl, a 9-year-old girl, and a 13-year-old boy.
While it is still unclear who fired the weapon, Casey emphasized that the shot was not self-inflicted by Noah.
The Dangerous Path of a Stray Bullet
Investigators revealed that the bullet went through the toddler’s skull, penetrated a wall, struck the ceiling, and finally landed on the couch.
Fortunately, no other children were physically harmed, but authorities discovered at least four firearms in areas easily accessible to the kids.
Warning About Unsecured Firearms
During the press briefing, Casey delivered a stark warning about the risks of leaving guns unsecured in homes with children.
“Children do not understand the difference between a real gun and a toy,” Casey said.
“In seconds, a moment of curiosity can turn into tragedy.”
She highlighted how kids often handle objects they recognize from play, such as water guns or Nerf guns, and may not realize the danger of a real firearm.
A Call for Parental Responsibility
The prosecutor also reminded parents to carefully consider how and where they store firearms.
“Take a moment tonight to evaluate what you have and where it is,” she said.
“We can exercise our rights and still keep our children safe.”
Legal Proceedings
Evelyn Etress remains in custody with a $90,000 bond as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.
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