In the summer of 2016, a tragic accident claimed the life of 7-year-old Thomas William Paisie, III. The young boy, who was born in Macon, was visiting his grandfather's home in Jones County from Savannah before he was due to return to school.
On Wednesday, July 20, 2016, while his grandfather was in the shower, a loud bang echoed through the house. The grandfather rushed downstairs to find his grandson, Thomas, lying face down on the floor. At the same time, the boy's aunt, Jennifer Mitchum, entered the home and saw her father leaning over the child. The grandfather turned his grandson over and began performing chest compressions while Mitchum called 911.
When deputies arrived at the home located at 113 Horseshoe Bend Court, they discovered that the young boy had sustained a single gunshot wound to the eye. Investigators determined that the child had tragically shot himself. It is believed that he pulled a chair up to a gun cabinet in the living room and was able to retrieve a gun that was in a holster on top of it. Based on the entry point of the bullet, authorities concluded that the boy was likely looking down the barrel of the gun when it discharged.
The investigation into the incident concluded that the shooting was accidental. There were no reports of any arrests or charges being filed in connection with the devastating event that cut short the life of a young boy. The community mourned the loss of the child, who was remembered at a memorial service held at Bridges Funeral Home in Gray.
