Gabriel Alexis Henderson, a 25-year-old African American mother of five, tragically lost her life on February 15, 2021, in Cornelius, North Carolina. The incident occurred when her children found a loaded gun in her purse. According to police reports, the children were the only other individuals present in the apartment at the time of the shooting. The oldest child was in the living room, while the other four children were in the bedroom where the gun was discovered. The children inadvertently fired the weapon, resulting in the fatal shooting of Gabriel Alexis Henderson and injuring her youngest child, who was subsequently taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Cornelius Police Department responded to the scene and found Gabriel Alexis Henderson in a back bedroom with a small semi-automatic handgun nearby. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The police investigation determined that the shooting was accidental, and no arrests were made in connection with the incident. The authorities emphasized the importance of gun safety and urged residents to use gun locks to prevent such tragedies.
In the aftermath of the incident, the community rallied to support Gabriel Alexis Henderson's family. A GoFundMe campaign was established to help cover funeral expenses and provide financial assistance for her children. The campaign received an outpouring of love, prayers, and support from friends, family, and the community.
The tragic death of Gabriel Alexis Henderson highlights the critical need for responsible gun ownership and safety measures to protect children and prevent accidental shootings. The Cornelius Police Department continues to stress the importance of securing firearms and educating the public on gun safety to avoid similar incidents in the future.
