A 5-year-old was found dead Wednesday afternoon after being shot by his twin brother at an apartment complex in DeKalb County, authorities said.
Police responded at about 2:30 p.m. to the 4400 block of Pleasant Point Drive. The location is a stone’s throw from I-20 and Wesley Chapel Road.
The boy, who died after being shot, was identified Thursday as Jeremiah George by the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office. His mother, 25-year-old Lanecia Bennett, was arrested on charges of second-degree murder and cruelty to children, DeKalb police spokesperson Blaine Clark said late Wednesday.
According to her warrant, Bennett is accused of leaving a loaded gun inside a black purse in a nightstand in her upstairs bedroom. Police said she was aware that her two boys were inside the bedroom watching TV that afternoon, when one of them got the gun and fired a shot that struck the other in the chest, the warrant stated.
Officials confirmed the shooting happened inside the home and that no break-in had occurred. The only other people in the residence at the time of the gunfire were young children, Clark said.
Officials have not provided more details about the incident, but urged caution around firearms and children.
“As investigators continue to piece together the events of this tragic shooting, we want to remind the public that if they have guns, it’s important for owners to do what they can to keep guns out of the hands of children,” Clark said.
The department encourages residents to pick up small gun safes for free at its precincts at 2484 Bruce Street, 4451 Lawrenceville Highway, 2842 H.F. Shepherd Drive and 1960 West Exchange Place.
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