Autopsy confirms Paulding County boy, 3, shot himself in the chest
The autopsy conducted Wednesday morning on a 3-year-old confirmed the boy shot himself in the chest, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said.
Holston Cole died Tuesday morning after finding the gun in his home, according to police. Investigators believe the .380 caliber, semi-automatic pistol belonged to the boy's father, Sgt. Ashley Henson said.
No details have been released on where the gun was located in the home and how Holston got it. Police and firefighters were called to the family’s Camp Circle home, near Dallas, around 7 a.m. Tuesday. Holston was taken by ambulance to Paulding WellStar Hospital, but did not survive.
No criminal charges have been filed in the boy’s death, which remained under investigation Wednesday afternoon.
In addition to his parents, David and Haley Cole, Holston is survived by 1-year-old twin sisters, Paisley and Macy, the family’s pastor said. The Cole family attends West Ridge Church.
A Go Fund Me page was set up online to assist the family.
