On February 2, 2024, three-year-old Kayden Josiah-Ray Swinnely tragically passed away in Greenville, North Carolina, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. at a family member's residence on Beech Street. Emergency responders transported Kayden to ECU Health Medical Center, where, despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead.
Investigations by the Greenville Police Department revealed that a teenager in the home had accessed a firearm secured in a locked gun box placed in a discreet location. The teenager broke into the box, retrieved the firearm, and, unbeknownst to the adults present, was playing with it in Kayden's presence. At some point, the teenager left the gun unattended in an unsecured drawer. Kayden subsequently found the firearm, leading to the accidental discharge that resulted in his death.
The family cooperated fully with law enforcement during the investigation. After consulting with the District Attorney's Office, authorities determined that the incident was a tragic accident, and no charges were filed against the adults in the home. Greenville Police Chief Ted Sauls emphasized the importance of educating children about gun safety and ensuring that firearms are not only stored securely but also kept out of reach and knowledge of minors to prevent such heartbreaking incidents.
Kayden's passing underscores the critical need for vigilance in firearm storage and child safety education. The community mourns the loss of a young life and extends condolences to the Swinnely family during this unimaginably difficult time.
