Father commits suicide after 2-year-old son accidentally shoots himself dead

A South Carolina father committed suicide moments after his young son accidentally shot himself with a gun found in their home, police said.

According to a press release from the Columbia Police Department, officers responded to a call Wednesday morning about a shooting at a home in Columbia.

When police arrived they found 2-year-old Kyree Myers suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, and his father Keon Myers "threatening to harm himself."


The department said officers tried repeatedly to get Myers, 38, to drop the weapon, but he refused, ultimately shooting himself in the head.  Kyree and his father were rushed to the hospital, where they were both pronounced dead.

Investigators said they believe Kyree found a loaded gun inside the house and accidentally shot himself with it. Police are still trying to determine how the weapon got inside the home.

"Our hearts are heavy at the tremendous loss of life. We have victim advocates assigned to the case to assist the family during this difficult time," police chief Skip Holbrock said. "This experience has also been emotionally trying for responding officers. They will participate in a debriefing to discuss the incident and receive further support as needed."