Authorities reported last week that a 6-year-old boy in North Carolina accidentally shot his younger brother, leading to the boy’s death.

This tragic incident occurred on October 8 in Greenville, approximately 85 miles east of Raleigh, according to a press release from the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies received a call shortly after 7 p.m. that evening, and upon arrival, they discovered that a 5-year-old boy had sustained a gunshot wound to the head. The boy, identified as Karter Rosenboro by local authorities and the Pitt County Schools, was rushed to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Charges brought against the boy’s great-grandfather

On October 10, authorities arrested 72-year-old Rayfield Ruffin, who owned the firearm involved and the home where the incident occurred. According to the sheriff’s office, he was charged for violations of statute 14-315.1 for failing to securely store the gun to protect the children in his residence.

Ruffin was released after posting a $2,000 unsecured bond.

Sgt. Lee Darnell expressed in an email to YSL News that it was an extremely sad event, mentioning that Ruffin is Karter’s great-grandfather.

A representative for Ruffin did not reply to inquiries for comments promptly.

Karter was a joyful child with a love for Spanish

Karter was enrolled in kindergarten at Northwest Elementary School. He was learning Spanish, as confirmed by his school district.

His favorite word was “sientate,” which means sit down, something he rarely did, as his family fondly noted in an online obituary.

Karter often wore a hat and a gold chain, paired with sunglasses. He loved the colors blue, red, and green, and like most kids, he left his name scrawled in blue on the wall of his grandparents’ home, a mark that remains there according to his family.

His family shared that he was excited to learn about the elections and Vice President Kamala Harris through his grandmother.

Just before his passing, he lost his first tooth and received $10 from the tooth fairy, which he eagerly spent on candy.

Karter is survived by three sisters and two brothers, along with his mother and father.

His grandfather, Terry Rosenboro Sr., described Karter as a lively boy who had a fondness for the movie “Cars.”

“He was granddaddy’s boy,” Rosenboro expressed.

Karter’s twin sister, Khloe, was described as his protector, always looking out for him. If Karter was hungry, she would alert an adult. If he faced bullying, she would intervene.

Terry Rosenboro Sr. noted that both Karter’s mother and father come from large families, ensuring they have robust support systems.

“As a pastor, we also receive significant backing from the church and our community,” said Rosenboro, who leads True Deliverance Church of Christ in Kinston.

Karter was described as a loving child, and his grandfather referred to the incident as an “unfortunate mishap.”

Reflecting on Karter’s life and the tragedy surrounding it, his grandfather emphasized, “Love and forgiveness conquer all.”

Kenisha Salley Boomer, a friend of Karter’s grandfather, shared a GoFundMe link and encouraged others to contribute.

“If anyone can donate anything, please do,” she posted on Facebook Tuesday. “Sending prayers to Terry and his wife, their daughter and son, and the entire family.”

CDC: Unintentional firearm injuries are a major cause of youth fatalities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that unintentional injuries are a significant cause of death among children in the U.S. who are aged 0 to 17. The agency highlighted that firearms are a predominant method of such injuries.

The CDC observation indicates that about half of unintentional firearm-related fatalities among minors occur in homes, often while the child is either playing with or showing the gun to someone else.

“Typically, the firearms linked to these unintentional deaths were found loaded and unlocked, often accessible from bedroom nightstands and similar locations,” the CDC noted.

The agency advises that accidental deaths can be minimized by ensuring that firearms are stored unloaded, locked, and kept separate from ammunition.

This story has been enhanced with additional details.