Police: Adult Was Present When 4-Year-Old Shot Himself in the Face

There was at least one adult in the home in the 3600 block of Fernhill Ave. in Baltimore when 4-year-old Tyeshawn Townsend found an unregistered handgun and accidentally shot himself on March 20, Baltimore City police said Tuesday.

Police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the boy's fatal gunshot wound inside of a neighbor's house, Det. Jeremy Silbert said. Tyshawn lived in a house in the same block where he accidentally shot himself, Silbert said.

In addition, Silbert said the gun used in the shooting was an unregistered weapon—a revolver.

At 10:30 a.m. March 20, police went to the home on the corner of Fernhill Avenue near Callaway Elementary School, in the Callaway-Garrison community, after they got a report of a shooting.

There they found Tyeshawn with a gunshot wound to his face, and police found a gun.

After the shooting, Tyeshawn was taken to Sinai Hospital, and was later transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Neighbors described Tyeshawn as a typical 4-year-old who loved to play with the other children in the neighborhood, including in Crossfield Court.

Police urge people who have guns in their home to keep them unloaded, secured and out of the reach of children.

Other stories about Tyeshawn:

Sunday morning, March 20—

Sunday evening, March 20—

Editor's Note: A memorial website is set up for Master Tyeshawn D. Townsend.

Correction: The original version of this story misspelled Tyshawn's first name.