Police have released the identity of a 27-year-old man they said they said ran from the scene where a 2-year-old accidentally shot and killed his 7-year-old cousin.
The shooting happened Tuesday around 12:30 p.m. inside an apartment off Lewis Street in the J.C. Napier housing development just south of downtown Nashville.
Officials with the Metro Nashville Police Department said 7-year-old Harmony Warfield was inside the apartment with four of her relatives, including her 29-year-old aunt, a 2-year-old make cousin, and two other children ages 14 and 11. It was not clear how the 14 and 11-year-olds were related to Harmony.
The 14-year-old told police the 2-year-old was holding a handgun when it went off, striking Harmony. She was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she died from her injuries.
Metro Police said the initial investigation determined the 2-year-old somehow discharged the gun and shot Harmony.
A friend of the aunt’s – identified as 27-year-old Anthony Sanders – was outside when the shooting happened.
When the weapon discharged, witnesses said Sanders went inside the apartment, and then ran from the area. It was not clear why Sanders left the scene.
Police said the gun has not been recovered. They wanted to speak with Sanders to learn what he knew about the weapon.
Anyone who sees Sanders or knows his whereabouts has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-74-CRIME (615-742-7463).
