Aylee Eden Alexandra Gordon, a 3-year-old girl from Hendersonville, NC, tragically passed away on December 25, 2021. The incident occurred when Aylee accidentally shot herself with a 9-mm handgun that was left in the backseat of her father's pickup truck. The handgun belonged to her 28-year-old stepbrother, Samuel Gordon, who was visiting the family for the Christmas holiday.
Aylee's father, Tim Gordon, a retired patrol sergeant with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, was driving the truck when the accident happened. Aylee was airlifted to Mission Hospital, where she underwent emergency neurosurgery but never regained consciousness and was declared brain dead on December 28, 2021.
The investigation into Aylee's death was conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation due to the family's connection with the local sheriff's office. The investigation revealed that the gun was improperly stored in the front passenger door storage slot of the truck, and Aylee accidentally discharged the firearm while handling it. The District Attorney for Henderson County, Andrew Murray, reviewed the investigation report and concluded that Aylee's death was a catastrophic accident resulting from the improper storage of a loaded and unsecured firearm. Murray stated that no North Carolina laws were violated, as the family member who placed the gun in the truck did not reside at the same residence as Aylee and was not her parent or supervisor.
As a result, no charges were filed against any of the adults involved in the incident. The District Attorney emphasized that while the family member made a terrible decision, it did not constitute criminal negligence under the law. The tragic accident highlights the importance of proper firearm storage and the devastating consequences that can arise from lapses in safety measures.
