North Little Rock man charged after 4-year-old dies from self-inflicted gunshot wound

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Little Rock police are still investigating after officers were dispatched to an apartment regarding a child being shot Friday afternoon.

Around 12:15 p.m., police were called to Westbridge Apartments at 2123 Labette Manor Drive.

When officers arrived, they located four-year-old Tyler Burnett inside an apartment suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

Maryanna Davis, one of Tyler's cousins expressed her disbelief upon waking up to the news.

"I was like, please don't let that be my cousin because they play around with guns, like fake guns," Davis said. "It's horrible, like I can't believe it's true. I thought I was dreaming."

An officer removed Tyler from the apartment to meet medical staff who were arriving on the scene.

Tyler was transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

Initial statements to officers and detectives of how the accidental shooting occurred were inconsistent and it appeared that evidence from the scene had been removed.

Homicide and Violent Crimes Detectives responded to the scene to interview possible witnesses and begin a neighborhood canvas.

A search warrant was obtained by detectives to retrieve evidence related to the shooting inside the apartment complex. CSSU responded to process the scene once the search warrant was served.

Upon examining the scene and Tyler’s body, it was determined Tyler suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Davis has her own suspicions of what may have unfolded. But she's not casting direct blame on any one person at this time. She noted that guns need to be disassembled and hidden in high places so children can't access the firearms.

To Davis, Tyler was like a baby brother, as they played with each other every so often.

Her only request for the public at this time is for everyone to pay for Tyler's family during this time of hardship.

At the time of the shooting, two other children, the children’s mother, and the mother’s friend, 27-year-old Reco Reed of North Little Rock were inside the apartment.

As a result of the investigation, Reed was charged with manslaughter, second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, and tampering with physical evidence.

He was transported to the Pulaski County Jail where he is being held on a $100,000 bond.

The next of kin was notified, and the investigation is still ongoing.