- Nakyzi Odums, 2, accidentally shot herself in the chest on July 3 and died on Saturday.
A two-year-old Georgia boy has died after accidentally shooting himself in a Walmart parking lot while his parents were shopping for fireworks, it has emerged.
Nakyzi Odums was alone in a vehicle parked at the Douglas superstore on July 3 while her parents shopped at a stand selling fireworks a few feet away, witnesses said. Walk.
Bystanders recalled hearing a gunshot before seeing his parents, identified by family as Sam Odums and Laileighauna Parks, run back to the car and discover their son had shot himself in the chest.
The boy was rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to a trauma center in Jacksonville, Florida, where police said he died Saturday afternoon.
Officers have launched an investigation into Nakyzi’s death and are working to determine how he obtained the gun.
Nakyzi Odums, 2, (center), died at a hospital Saturday after accidentally shooting himself in the chest in a Walmart parking lot on July 3. The boy is pictured with his parents, Sam Odums (left) and Laileighauna Parks (right).
Nakyzi Odums was alone in a parked vehicle at the Douglas Superstore on July 3 while her parents shopped at a fireworks stand (pictured) just yards away.
Witnesses said Nakyzi was sitting in the front seat of the car while his parents shopped at the fireworks stand.
The gun is suspected to have been on the side of the car door when it was found, the television station reported.
The Douglas Police Department confirmed his death in a Facebook post on Saturday, issuing their condolences to his loved ones.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” the post said.
‘Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.’
It is unclear whether Odums or Parks will face charges for the incident. They are not currently in custody, according to jail records seen by DailyMail.com.
Georgia law generally allows anyone who is a “legal carrier” to carry a loaded gun in his or her vehicle.
However, Douglas Police Chief Brannen Pruette says gun owners should take precautions to keep children safe.
Pruette previously told WALB: ‘It’s allowed to have a gun in the car, but when there’s a child involved, you have to make sure the gun is secured so the child doesn’t have access to it.’
Passersby recalled hearing a gunshot before seeing her parents run back to the car and discovering Nakyzi had shot herself. Pictured is the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter in Douglas, Georgia
Nakyzi’s grandmother has created a GoFundMe Page to help the child’s parents pay for his burial.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the loss of our beautiful Nakyzi Odums,” reads the crowdfunding.
“He was without a doubt the light and love of his parents, Sam Odums and Laileighauna Parks. He smiled brightly, laughed with all his heart and loved unconditionally.”
The funds will also be used to “allow (his) mom and dad time to grieve properly.”
The Douglas Police Department told DailyMail.com there are no updates on the case at this time.
