Michael Cattron III, a 6-year-old boy from Villa Park, IL, tragically died on December 6, 2014, due to an accidental gunshot wound. The incident occurred at his home in an unincorporated area near Villa Park. Michael, who was watching cartoons at the time, was shot in the head by his young cousin who was playing with a gun. The boy was pronounced dead at 12:30 p.m. at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. The Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head.
Michael's family had already endured significant tragedy. His mother, Jasmine Curry, was fatally shot on the Dan Ryan Expressway the previous summer, and his uncle, Pierce Leroy Curry, was killed in a shooting in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood in 2013. Michael's grandfather, Pierre Curry, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Michael as a sweet and happy child who loved cartoons and his grandparents.
The DuPage County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident and determined it to be an accidental shooting. No arrests were made, and there were no suspects or litigations related to Michael's death. The investigation concluded that the shooting was a tragic accident, with no foul play involved. The family was left to cope with yet another devastating loss, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence and its impact on families.
