5-year-old injured in accidental shooting at NE Atlanta apartments

In the wake of Thursday’s shooting, Atlanta police stressed the need for more gun safety.

“This incident did not have to occur,” department officials said on social media. “We do not understand the rationale behind leaving unsecured loaded guns in the home when children are around. It will never make sense to us. This child could have died. We are all grateful that this little boy will be around to open presents on Christmas day, but we are saddened that we must do yet another post asking people to be responsible, smart, and mindful when dealing with firearms and children.”

The accidental shooting comes one day after a 3-year-old boy shot himself in a South Fulton home after he found an “unsecured weapon” under a bed, according to police spokesperson Lt. Jubal Rogers. The child was shot in the abdomen and was stable after being released from surgery late Wednesday afternoon, Rogers added.

The incident is among more than two dozen shootings involving children and teenagers across metro Atlanta in 2021.

Earlier this month, a 1-year-old was seriously injured in an accidental shooting at a home in southwest Atlanta, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.

On Dec. 9, 11-year-old Elyjah Munson was fatally shot in Clayton County, police said. The following day, police arrested a 12-year-old boy on charges including murder and aggravated assault in connection with the fatal shooting.

The slain child’s mother, Kendall Munson, told the AJC she believes the 12-year-old may have been showing the gun off when he pulled it out of his bookbag and fired a shot, striking Elyjah Munson.

Weeks prior, Elyjah Munson’s cousin, 5-year-old Khalis Eberhart, was fatally shot when her 3-year-old sibling found an unsecured gun at their South Fulton apartment, the AJC previously reported. Khalis was shot in the chest and did not survive her injuries, police said.

In their statement Thursday, Atlanta police said gun owners could be arrested if they’re found to be negligent in cases of kids accessing firearms. The department urged parents to “use maximum care and security” when storing their weapons.

“Don’t risk your freedom and a child’s life being lackadaisical,” the statement said. “We need you to do better. Please be safe and smart. Secure your weapons in a gun safe, or lockbox and store out of the reach of children.”