- Kyree Myers, two, found a gun in his parents’ Columbia, South Carolina home Wednesday morning and accidentally shot himself dead
- The boy’s mother was at home and called 911
- As police arrived at the scene, the boy’s father, 38-year-old Keon Myers, committed suicide by firing a single shot into his head
Authorities say a Columbia, South Carolina man took his own life moments after his 2-year-old son found a gun and accidentally shot and killed himself.
Richland County Corner Gary Watts says toddler Kyree Myers’ mother called 911 after her son found the loaded gun in the family’s Columbia home and shot himself.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook says when officers arrived at the family’s home on Traux Lane around 11am, 38-year-old Keon Myers had a gun and was threatening to kill himself.
Two-year-old Kyree Myers (left) found a gun at his South Carolina home on Wednesday and accidentally shot himself dead. His father Keon, 38 (right), then committed suicide by shooting himself shortly after
Above, a view of the scene after the shooting Wednesday morning. Officers will receive counseling for what they witnessed
Officers ordered him to drop the weapon several times, before he fired the fatal shot into his head.
Father and son were taken to Palmetto Health Richland Hospital were they were pronounced dead.
Police say they are still investigating if the father and son were killed with the same weapon and whether that gun was bought legally.
Holbrook says the incident has been ’emotionally trying for responding officers’ and they will receive support as needed.
‘Our hearts are heavy at the tremendous loss of life,’ Holbrook said in a statement.
He added: ‘We have victim advocates assigned to the case to assist the family during this difficult time. This experience has also been emotionally trying for responding officers. They will participate in a debriefing to discuss the incident and receive further support as needed.’
• For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here
• For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here