Man Arrested After 4-Year-Old Son Dies of Gunshot Wound

A man in North Carolina was arrested after his four-year-old son died of a gunshot wound, police said.

Police officials said they were alerted about the shooting at an apartment complex on Charleston Place, southeast Charlotte, around 7:30 p.m Wednesday. When officers reached the complex, they went inside and found that a 4-year-old boy had been shot, NBC affiliate WCNC of Charlotte has reported.

The boy, identified as Demario Warren, was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. As per the outlet, a man, named Dayshawn St. Paul Warren, was identified by neighbors as the boy's father and police charged him with involuntary manslaughter and selling or giving a weapon to a minor in connection to the shooting.

Citing the neighbors, the outlet reported that Warren came outside with his son in his arms, screaming for someone to call the police. The man apparently kept saying that his son shot himself and begged for help, the report said.

"If you have children, make sure you take care of them, hold them close and keep them dear," said Maj. Cecil Brisbon. "And if you possess any type of weapons or firearms in your house, make sure you keep those secure."

According to Allison Anderman, Senior Counsel for Giffords Law Center, nearly 4.6 million minors across the country live in homes that have unsecured, loaded firearms. The laws of North Carolina lay down that in the event of a minor being a victim of a gun-related accident, the adult owning the gun can be charged.

Police officials said the investigation into the case is active and ongoing.

Demario's grandmother has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the funeral arrangements. She said Demario was affectionately called "baby" in the family, and the news of his death is yet to sink in.

The woman further said that Demario had two siblings, an older brother and a younger sister, both of whom are staying with her. She added that Dayshawn was a single father who worked full time to take care of his children.