- Nakyzi Odums, 2, accidentally shot himself in the chest on July 3 and died 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.
Nakyzi Odums was alone in a vehicle parked at the Douglas supermarket on July 3 while his parents were selling fireworks at a stall a few steps away, witnesses said WALB.
Bystanders said they heard a gunshot before seeing his parents, identified by his family as Sam Odums and Laileighauna Parks, run back to the car and discover their son had shot himself in the chest.
The toddler was rushed to a local hospital and then transferred to a trauma center in Jacksonville, Florida, where he died Saturday afternoon, according to police.
Officers have launched an investigation into Nakyzi’s death and are trying to determine how he obtained the weapon.
Nakyzi Odums, 2, (center) died Saturday in a hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the chest in a Walmart parking lot on July 3. The toddler is pictured with his parents Sam Odums (left) and Laileighauna Parks (right)
Nakyzi Odums was alone in a vehicle parked at the Douglas supermarket on July 3 while his parents shopped at a stall selling pyrotechnics (pictured) just a few metres away
Witnesses said Nakyzi was sitting in the front seat of the car while his parents shopped at the fireworks stand.
According to the television station, the weapon was reportedly in the side of the car door when he found it.
Douglas police confirmed his death in a Facebook post Saturday and offered condolences to his family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” the message said.
“Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.”
It is unclear whether Odums or Parks will face charges in the incident. They are not currently in custody, according to jail records reviewed by DailyMail.com.
Under Georgia law, anyone who is a “lawful firearms carrier” is allowed to carry a loaded weapon in their vehicle.
However, Douglas Police Chief Brannen Pruette says gun owners need to take precautions to keep children safe.
Pruette previously told WALB, “You can have a gun in the car, but if there’s a child involved, you need to make sure the gun is securely stored so the child can’t get to it.”
Bystanders recall hearing a gunshot before seeing his parents run back to the car and discover that Nakyzi had shot himself. The photo shows the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter in Douglas, Georgia
Nakyzi’s grandmother has a GoFundMe page to help the toddler’s parents pay for his funeral.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the loss of our beautiful Nakyzi Odums,” the crowdfunder said.
“He was absolutely the light and love for his parents Sam Odums and Laileighauna Parks. He smiled big, laughed wholeheartedly, loved unconditionally.”
The funds will also be used to ‘ [his] ‘Mom and Dad are given time to grieve properly’.
Douglas police told DailyMail.com there is no update on the case at this time.