Nationwide — Erin Myers, a 3-year-old African American boy from Columbia, South Carolina, has tragically died after he accidentally shot himself with an unattended gun inside an apartment. The child suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body on Thursday evening and later died at a local hospital. His uncle, 21-year-old Tyrone Thompson Jr., now faces a felony weapons charge in connection with the gun. Authorities said he was a convicted felon and should not have had a gun.
The shooting happened around 5:40 p.m. on Bailey Street near The Colony apartments. Richland County deputies responded after receiving a report of a child being shot. Deputy Chief Melron Kelly said officers found the toddler with a gunshot wound to his upper body when they arrived. Emergency responders took him to a nearby hospital, but doctors could not save him.
According to WLBT, investigators said Thompson left the gun unattended in a room where the toddler had access to it. The boy then got hold of the firearm and accidentally shot himself. Police said Thompson did not stay at the scene to help the child. Instead, authorities said he took the gun and fled the residence. The child’s parents were home but were in a different room when the shooting occurred. They called 911 after discovering what happened, and police said they had no involvement in the possession of the weapon.
Thompson was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Authorities said he had previously been convicted of a felony in South Carolina, which made it illegal for him to possess a firearm. “He had no business with a weapon. He’d already been convicted of a felony in the state,” Kelly said. A judge later granted Thompson a $250,000 bond with several conditions, including electronic monitoring. He is also prohibited from possessing firearms if released. Authorities said they could file additional charges as the investigation continues.
The shooting left residents at The Colony apartments shaken. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and traumatic, with one person recalling the child’s mother crying after the shooting. Another resident said the incident was especially concerning because children in the community are exposed to crime. Meanwhile, investigators continued examining how the toddler gained access to the gun and what happened immediately after the shooting.
Meanwhile, Erin’s family gathered at The Colony apartments for a balloon release in his memory. A memorial now stands outside the apartment where the shooting occurred, with balloons, candles, and dinosaur toys placed in his honor. The family said they were devastated by the loss but grateful for the memories they shared with him. “We are devastated by this loss, and our hearts ache for the life that was taken too soon. At the same time, we are deeply grateful for every memory, every smile, every moment of love, and every beautiful part of Erin that will remain with us forever.”