A heartbreaking incident unfolded in DeKalb County, Georgia, on July 23, 2025, when a 5-year-old boy was fatally shot inside an apartment at The Village at Wesley Chapel Apartment Homes, located along the 4400 block of Pleasant Point Drive, just south of Interstate 20 and near Wesley Chapel Road. The child, whose identity has not been publicly released, suffered gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead despite efforts to save him.

The DeKalb County Police Department responded to the scene around 2:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a shooting. According to investigators, the boy’s twin sibling found a loaded gun, which led to the tragic incident. The child’s mother, 25-year-old Lanecia Bennett, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to children. Authorities have stated that Bennett did not pull the trigger but is being held accountable for leaving the firearm unsecured in her bedroom, accessible to her young children. Other young children were present in the home at the time, with no additional adults supervising.

The police have emphasized that the incident was not related to a burglary or home invasion, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. However, the tragedy has deeply shaken the community. Neighbors expressed their grief and disbelief, with one friend of the victim, Jaiden Gonsoulin, sharing, “It’s sad to see that somebody we played football with, threw the ball with, dapped up every day — it’s sad to see that he’s gone now. And it’s worse that he’s five.” Another neighbor, Joshua Jones, described feeling unsettled by the loss of a sense of safety in the area.

Bennett was denied bond during her initial court appearance and remains in custody at the DeKalb County Jail as the investigation continues. Authorities have not yet determined who pulled the trigger, and further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting are still under investigation. The DeKalb County Police Department has urged gun owners to secure their firearms to prevent such tragedies, stating, “If they have guns, it’s important for owners to do what they can to keep guns out of the hands of children.”

The community continues to mourn the loss of the young boy, and the incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of firearm safety in households with children.