In Nashville, Tennessee, a summer day turned tragic for 10-year-old Lathan Javelle Sweatt. On the morning of July 30, 2023, the young boy was fatally shot inside his family's home on Meadowlake Terrace in the Hermitage Precinct. Lathan, a male who was just days shy of his eleventh birthday, was at home with his 12-year-old brother and 14-year-old stepbrother while their parents were out running errands with two other children.
The boys had gone upstairs to play a computer game.
The investigation indicates that the 14-year-old stepbrother retrieved a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol that was stored at the top of a closet in the room. While he was handling the firearm, it discharged, and a single bullet struck Lathan in the head. A call to 911 was made at 10:40 a.m., and Lathan was rushed to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, where he died shortly after his arrival.
Youth Services detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department immediately began an investigation into the fatal shooting. Initial reports from law enforcement stated that the investigation was ongoing and that the shooting was believed to be accidental. The focus of the inquiry was on the circumstances that led to the teen having access to the unsecured firearm.
As of the latest available information, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the filing of criminal charges against the 14-year-old stepbrother or any other individuals in connection with the death of Lathan Sweatt. The case remains a somber reminder of the potential consequences of firearms within a home. Lathan was remembered in his obituary for his vibrant energy, his love for the outdoors, board games, basketball, and video games. An AB Honor Student, he was described as smart, with math being his favorite subject, and having a bright and exciting personality.
