In a tragic turn of events on a Tuesday evening in Marietta, Georgia, a young male child named Royal Seven Clark, who was just shy of his second birthday, lost his life. On September 5, 2023, the one-year-old was at the Walton Ridge Apartment Homes when he came across a loaded firearm that had been left accessible. The toddler accidentally shot himself in the head.
Emergency services, including the Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services and the Cobb County Police Department, responded to the scene and attempted life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, the child succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Kennestone Hospital.
The boy's father, 30-year-old Conrad Carrington Clark, was taken into custody in connection with the incident. According to the arrest warrant, Clark is accused of leaving a loaded firearm in a location where a young child could access it. He is a convicted felon, which legally prohibits him from possessing a firearm. The family, grieving the loss of the young boy, stated that the shooting was a tragic accident. They explained that Clark, who was engaged to Royal's mother, had the gun for the family's protection and had forgotten to secure it after a long day. At the time of the incident, he was reportedly making breakfast.
Conrad Clark now faces multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center without bond while the investigation into the heartbreaking death of his son continues. The family, who had been looking forward to celebrating Royal's second birthday, is now mourning his loss and planning a memorial instead. They remember him as a child with a big personality who brought love to many in his short life.
