Toddler Accidentally Kills Man, Family Members Arrested for Coverup

A tragic incident in Gainesville, Florida, has led to the death of a 21-year-old man and the arrest of two family members who attempted to cover up the accidental shooting. On March 24, Bernard Carter III was fatally shot by a toddler who had access to an unsecured handgun in the family's apartment at the Lewis Place Apartments.

According to the Gainesville Police Department, the toddler, who was just 2 years old, found the loaded gun and accidentally fired it, striking Carter. The victim initially entered a family member's apartment and said he had been shot before succumbing to his injuries several days later.

Instead of immediately reporting the incident to authorities, the victim's mother, Lawanda Wade, 50, and his brother, Quante Whitaker, 29, chose to mislead investigators and cover up the truth for several weeks. They allegedly coached the children who witnessed the shooting, including an 8-year-old, to lie about what had happened, claiming that Carter was shot outside the house.

Whitaker is accused of retrieving the gun from Carter's room after the shooting and hiding it in the kitchen. He also allegedly tried to remove gunshot residue from the toddler in an attempt to conceal evidence. The gun used in the shooting has not been recovered.

The family's actions not only obstructed the investigation but also deprived the toddler and two other juvenile witnesses, ages 5 and 8, of necessary crisis-related services. Wade and Whitaker now face charges of tampering with a witness and child abuse, while Whitaker faces additional charges of tampering with evidence and perjury.

Why this matters: This heartbreaking incident highlights the critical importance of properly securing firearms and the devastating consequences that can occur when young children gain access to unsecured guns. It also underscores the legal and moral obligations of family members to be truthful with law enforcement during investigations, especially when the well-being of children is at stake.

Wade, who has a criminal history, had been entrusted with the care of the children by the Department of Children and Families, raising questions about the decision-making process. Wade was arrested on April 17 and is being held on a $30,000 bond, while Whitaker had not been arrested as of the publication of this article. The Gainesville Police Department is urging gun owners to properly secure and store their firearms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. "The Gainesville Police Department wants to remind gun owners to properly secure and store their firearms to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again," the department stated.

Key Takeaways

• 21-year-old man fatally shot by 2-year-old with unsecured gun in Gainesville, FL
• Family members arrested for covering up the accidental shooting and obstructing investigation
• Mother and brother coached child witnesses to lie about the incident
• Brother hid the gun and tried to remove gunshot residue from the toddler
• Police urge gun owners to properly secure firearms to prevent similar tragedies