Amani Barringer, a 5-year-old African American girl, tragically lost her life on September 9, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident occurred inside the Maple Run apartments on Elgywood Lane, where Amani was accidentally shot by her 14-year-old brother. The young girl was playing when the firearm discharged, striking her in the neck. Despite being transported to a local hospital, Amani succumbed to her injuries.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched an
investigation into the incident. The 14-year-old brother was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. Additionally, an adult was charged with failure to secure a firearm, although the name of the adult was not released to protect the identity of the juvenile involved.
The community was deeply affected by Amani's death, prompting calls for responsible gun ownership and the use of gun locks to prevent such tragedies. Community leaders and organizations, such as Mothers of Murdered Offspring, emphasized the importance of securing firearms to protect children. CMPD responded by purchasing 800 gun locks to distribute to the community, aiming to reduce the number of child gun injuries and fatalities.
Amani's death highlighted the broader issue of gun violence affecting children in Mecklenburg County. In 2020, 42 children in the county were hurt by guns, matching the total number of child gun injuries from the previous year. The incident underscored the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to ensure the safety of children in their homes.
