The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Loved ones mourn 4-year-old who died after finding gun in car.

- By Alexis Stevens

Miyell Hernandez loved his toys so much he lined them up nearby when he took a bath or went to sleep, his grandmothe­r said. April Griffin loved spoiling her first grandson, so she bought the 4-year-old those toys.

Griffin told The Atlanta Journal-constituti­on the two were so close that, even when she had to travel for work, the two often talked by phone or used Facetime.

“We talked all the time,” she said through tears. “I never felt that kind of love. I never knew nobody could love me like that.”

Now Griffin isn’t sure how she and her family will go on without the sweet little boy, who had been looking forward to a summer trip to Walt Disney World.

While his mother went into Dekalb County grocery store Sunday afternoon, Miyell waited the car with two young relatives, according to police. But somehow Miyell got his hands on a gun inside the car, and investigat­ors believe he accidental­ly shot himself around 5 p.m., police said Monday afternoon.

A 13-year-old relative ran inside the Publix on Panola Road for help, a Dekalb police spokeswoma­n said. Miyell was taken to a hospital but died from his injuries. No one else was injured in the incident, which remains under investigat­ion. No charges have been filed.

“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the Hernandez family,” Dekalb police Chief Mirtha Ramos said in

a statement. “We’re imploring gun owners to always keep their guns safe and secure.”

Griffin said Monday her daughter, Miyell’s mother, did not own a gun and the family is unsure how the boy would have found the weapon. The boy’s mother can’t get the image of her injured son out of her head.

The family hasn’t started making funeral plans.

“He’s innocent and he’s so pure,” Griffin said. “Even though he’s not here, we know he went to heaven.

We know it.”

Sunday’s shooting was the second in five days that left a metro Atlanta child dead, and the sixth this year that killed a child younger than 18.

Late Wednesday, 9-year-old Kemoni Mack was shot to death at The Station at Richmond Hill apartment complex in the 1700 block of Richmond Circle in southeast Atlanta, according to police. On Sunday, Atlanta police announced that a suspect, believed to be 16 years old, had been charged in the boy’s death.

The next day, Atlanta police Chief Rodney Bryant pleaded with gun owners to be responsibl­e and properly secure firearms.

“Take the necessary precaution­s and help us,” he said.

The Dekalb police department is planning a safety fairmarch 19, where free gun locks will be available, along with safety tips.

 ?? ?? Miyell Hernandez, 4, often used Facetime to talk with his grandmothe­r, April Griffin.
Miyell Hernandez, 4, often used Facetime to talk with his grandmothe­r, April Griffin.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States