In a heartbreaking turn of events in Canton, Mississippi, a young life was tragically cut short. Nine-year-old Ashton Walden, a male student at Reuben B. Myers Canton School of Arts & Sciences, died from a gunshot wound in June of 2021. The incident that led to his untimely death was a sorrowful accident that occurred while he and his siblings were left unattended in a vehicle.
On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, Ashton, his 10-year-old brother, and their 2-year-old sister were inside a car in the 100 block of Hargon Street. Their mother and her boyfriend had gone into a friend's house, leaving the children in the vehicle. It was during this time that the toddler discovered a gun that had been left under a seat. In a devastating twist of fate, the young child accidentally discharged the weapon, striking Ashton in the head. The young boy was rushed to the hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries the following day.
In the wake of this tragedy, the children's mother, who has not been publicly named, is facing legal consequences. Authorities have charged her with neglect for leaving the children unsupervised in a situation that led to such a catastrophic outcome. The case was set to be presented to the Madison County District Attorney, with the possibility of additional charges being filed. Following the incident, Ashton's two siblings were placed in the care of their grandmother. The Canton Public Schools District expressed their sorrow over the loss of the rising third-grader, asking the community to keep Ashton's family and friends in their thoughts.
