Paulding authorities warns gun owner safety after toddler shoots 19-year-old | 11alive.com

HIRAM, Ga. — The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office urges gun owners to keep firearms secured after a toddler found an unlocked gun and fatally shot a 19-year-old.

According to deputies, Kabrel Patterson was asleep in bed when the child somehow gained access to his firearm and pulled the trigger. Patterson later died from his injuries.

The tragic incident is a harsh reminder of the dangers of unsecured firearms in homes with children — a risk that gun owners must take seriously.

RELATED: 3-year-old accidentally shoots, kills man at Paulding County home

“Immediately you think, how did this happen?” said sheriff's office spokesperson Jordan Yuodis. “And I think those who are affected by it—they’ll question that forever.”

Despite multiple adults being in the home at the time, investigators said no one will face criminal charges because the gun belonged to the victim.

Yuodis hopes this case serves as a sobering reminder to gun owners.

“Don’t leave your guns lying around—especially if you have small children,” he said. “Anyone who’s ever had small children knows they’re curious. They’re going to pick up things. They’re going to try things.”

The shooting comes amid growing concern over firearm safety in homes with kids.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, at least 87 children in the U.S. have been involved in an unintentional shooting this year—four of those in Georgia. Two of those were in the metro Atlanta area.

State Rep. Michelle Au has been fighting for stronger gun storage laws in Georgia. Last year, she introduced the Pediatric Health Safe Storage Act, which would have held adults accountable for leaving guns where children could access them. The bill failed to pass.

“It bewilders me why the responsible adults in the legislature still refuse to act,” Au said. “It is our responsibility to look at this and not presume that laws won’t work—especially when we’ve seen them work in conservative states like Florida and Texas, which already have stronger storage laws than Georgia does.”

The Paulding County Sheriff's Office said Patterson and the toddler were not related.