unnamed boy
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CANDID ID: NC_22_1256
AGE
4   years
STATE
North Carolina
DATE OF DEATH
5/20/2022
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On May 20, 2022, a 4-year-old Black boy died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound at a residence on Delta Drive, just outside Roanoke Rapids in Halifax County, North Carolina. The child reportedly gained access to an unsecured firearm in the home. Authorities determined the shooting was unintentional. Shafika Gwynn, 39, was subsequently arrested and charged with failing to store a firearm to protect minors. She posted bond and was given a July 20th court date.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

The medical examiner report (NC_22_1256.pdf) states the cause of death as "Gunshot wounds- self-inflicted" and the manner of death as "Accident." The preliminary circumstances further describe the incident: "a 4-year-old boy died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound" after "The child reportedly gained access to an unsecured firearm." The news article also confirms the "accidental shooting death" of the child.

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

The medical examiner report states "The child reportedly gained access to an unsecured firearm" and that "Shafika Gwynn, 39, was charged with failing to store a firearm to protect minors." While the charge is specifically about firearm storage, the fact that a 4-year-old gained access to a loaded unsecured firearm implies a failure of appropriate supervision. The news article corroborates this with "the 4-year-old boy's accidental shooting death" resulting from improper gun storage.

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The URL of the WITN news article contains the slug "mom-charged-after-4-year-old-son-accidentally-shoots-self," which identifies Shafika Gwynn as the child's mother and the child as her son. However, the body text of the article only refers to her as "A Roanoke Rapids woman" without explicitly confirming a mother-child relationship. The medical examiner report also does not specify the relationship. The URL metadata suggests she is the biological mother, but the article body does not confirm this.

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

Both documents confirm that Shafika Gwynn was charged. The medical examiner report states: "Shafika Gwynn, 39, was charged with failing to store a firearm to protect minors in connection with the incident." The news article corroborates: "Shafika Gwynn, 39, was arrested Monday and charged with failing to store a firearm to protect minors."

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Lives Cut Short