North Carolina- In the wake of recent shootings in the USA, there comes yet another gun-related tragedy. A North Carolina father has accidentally shot and killed his toddler.
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RALEIGH, North Carolina (TCD) — A 22-year-old father was arrested on accusations of fatally shooting a 22-year-old man and a toddler.
Natanael Ezequiel Baez was charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
The child who was killed, whom neighbors know as Bubby, was his son.
According to a news release from the Raleigh Police Department, police responded to a complaint of a gunshot in the 6000 block of Shanda Drive on July 5.
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Authorities reportedly discovered multiple casualties at the location, including an adult man, Robert Thomas, and a 23-month-old kid. A third victim, Tiffany Claybrooke, 22 with gunshot wounds, according to WRAL-TV.
According to neighbors, Baez began firing following a fight between himself and Thomas.
A neighbor told officials that her daughter was holding the baby boy when he was shot and became limp.
The unidentified neighbor said her children were inside a third-floor apartment when the shooting started.
"I ran outside and said, 'call 911,'" she said.
The witness revealed that Thomas and Baez were fighting and that Claybrooke was shot in the arm while attempting to break them up.
People in the area began running into the witness' bathroom for cover as violence broke out. However, tragedy struck again shortly later.
"The baby was trying to get to his dad," she said.
Her daughter ran to get Bubby, but as she carried him to the bathroom, she heard a gun, and the baby lay lifeless in her arms.
WRAL News met with a lady who identified herself as the toddler's mother, and she claims the gunshot was unintentional.
The toddler was declared dead at the scene, according to reports. Thomas and Claybrooke were taken to the hospital with significant life-threatening injuries. Thomas died, according to WRAL.
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“He played football for Enloe High School, he was quiet," a friend said of Thomas. "There was no reason for him to be involved in something like this."
"[He was] just a quiet soul, finding his voice through music," the friend said. "He was an artist. He didn't deserve this."
Following additional investigation, police claimed Nataneal Baez was detained on a murder accusation.
Baez is still detained at the Wake County Detention Center and is due in court on July 8.