On March 27, 2022, three-year-old Bryson Jackson died from a gunshot wound to the head at his mother's home in Memphis, Tennessee. His mother, Tinesha Jackson, and her friend, Tedrick Butler, had left to get food at Taco Bell around 1:35 AM, leaving Bryson and his four-year-old brother in the care of their uncle, Michael Goodman, who fell asleep on the couch. Butler had brought an AR-15 style pistol into the home and placed it on a storage box at the foot of the mother's bed in her bedroom. While no adult was actively supervising, the children gained access to the mother's bedroom and the unsecured firearm. Bryson was struck by a gunshot to the head. When the mother returned approximately 15-20 minutes later, she found the uncle outside in distress and Bryson on the floor of her bedroom. She called 911 and then drove Bryson to Methodist Hospital South, where he was pronounced deceased. An autopsy determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, though the manner of death could not be determined. Both the mother and Butler were charged with criminally negligent homicide; Butler faced additional charges including evidence tampering and weapons offenses. The DCS investigation substantiated Lack of Supervision against both the mother and Butler.
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 entire case centers on a firearm incident. The fatality report states the "cause of death was due to a single gunshot to the head with an AR-15 gun." The news article from 13newsnow.com reports that "Bryson died from his injuries" after "he suffered a gunshot wound to the head." The child gained access to an unsecured AR-15 style pistol in his mother's bedroom.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The fatality report documents that the children were left in the care of their uncle who was asleep on the couch, while unsecured firearms were accessible in the home. The allegation of Lack of Supervision was substantiated against the mother and her friend. The fatality report states: "[REDACTED] and his four-year-old brother, [REDACTED] were left in the care of their uncle, [REDACTED] at family home. [REDACTED] advised he was asleep on the couch when he heard a gunshot." The children gained access to a loaded, unsecured AR-15 style pistol while no adult was actively supervising them.
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 biological mother was charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide and Aggravated Child Abuse-child u/6. The fatality report states that "According to law enforcement, [REDACTED] had prior knowledge that [REDACTED] brought the AR 15 style pistol into her home" and "had prior knowledge that the AR 15 was unsecured in her bedroom on a storage box at the foot of her bed." The allegation of Lack of Supervision against the mother was classified as Allegation Substantiated / Perpetrator Substantiated. She left the children with a sleeping uncle while an unsecured loaded firearm was in her bedroom.
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)?
Tedrick Butler, described consistently as the mother's "friend" in both the fatality report and the news article, brought the AR-15 style pistol into the home and placed it unsecured in the mother's bedroom. The news article states: "According to Tinesha, Butler, the owner of the AR-15, left the gun in her bedroom on top of a box." Butler's Lack of Supervision allegation was substantiated, and he was charged with criminally negligent homicide, possession of a prohibited weapon, tampering with evidence, and possession with intent to sell.
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
The uncle (Michael Goodman per the news article) was the designated caretaker of the children when the mother left to get food. The fatality report states he "advised he was asleep on the couch when he heard a gunshot." He was the sole adult present in the home when the 3-year-old gained access to the firearm. He was listed as an Alleged Perpetrator for Lack of Supervision, though the allegation was classified as Unsubstantiated. The fatality report also states "The uncle and the father were not criminally charged and was found not to be involved in the shooting incident." His factual role as the sleeping designated caretaker places him in the circumstances, though he was not found culpable.
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)?
The fatality report's administrative review from 05/04/2022 explicitly states: "The family has prior CPS history."
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 the mother and her friend were charged. The fatality report states the mother "was charged with Aggravated Child Abuse-child u/6 and Criminally Neglect Homicide." Butler was charged with "Criminally Neglect Homicide, Possession of a firearm/Dangerous Felony, Possession of prohibited weapon, tampering with/Fabrication of evidence, and Possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture/sell." The news article corroborates: "Butler was charged with criminally negligent homicide, possession of a prohibited weapon, tampering with evidence, and possession with intent to sell" and "She was charged with criminally negligent homicide."
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?
The fatality report documents extensive prior criminal history for Butler (the mother's friend, substantiated as a perpetrator for Lack of Supervision). His JSSI results show: "January -2022 POSS FIREARM/COMMISSION OF FELONY, THEFT OF PROPERTY $1000 OR LESS, UNLAWFUL POSS WEAPON, POSS MARIJUANA W/I MAN/DEL/SELL, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, PROHIBITED WEAPONS - CERTAIN GUNS" and "June -2021 Felony Arrest Domestic Violence and vandalism." These arrests predate the March 2022 fatal incident. Butler's status as a 'parent/caregiver' is debatable—he was the mother's friend—but he was treated as an Alleged Perpetrator in the DCS investigation and his Lack of Supervision allegation was substantiated.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report documents multiple substance use references. It states: "There was an empty liquor bottle found in the residence and it is believed that the alcohol may have been consumed by [REDACTED] sometime before the incident occurred." Butler (the friend) "reported he had been drinking earlier that day." Additionally, "Marijuana was also found in several places in the residence," and the news article states "investigators found spent cartridge casings, a backpack containing marijuana, and marijuana in Tinesha's bedroom closet." Butler was also charged with "Possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture/sell."
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the text. Butler (the mother's friend who brought the gun) had very recent prior criminal history involving firearms, including a January 2022 arrest for firearm possession, unlawful weapon possession, and prohibited weapons—just two months before this March 2022 incident. Butler also admitted to tampering with evidence by moving the guns from inside the home to the backyard before police arrived. Additionally, one of the firearms found was a "Glock 9mm pistol illegally converted to fully automatic." The DCS investigation took over two years to close, with the intake received on March 27, 2022 and the case not closed until June 2024. The mother claimed she locked her bedroom door before leaving but the children still gained access—she told DCS she "told herself she needed to get a better lock however she had been working a lot and did not get the lock." As of January 2023, the mother reported she was "taking a diversion plan" for her criminal charges.
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