A tragic incident in Kannapolis, North Carolina, has left a community devastated after a seven-year-old girl, Willow Rose, was fatally shot in what authorities have determined to be an accidental shooting involving an unsecured firearm. The heartbreaking event occurred on the morning of January 23 at a residence in the 400 block of Cabarrus Arms Drive.
Officers from the Kannapolis Police Department responded to the scene around 7:30 a.m., where they discovered the young girl had been shot by her sibling. Despite the immediate efforts of emergency responders, Willow Rose was pronounced deceased at the scene, leaving her family and community mourning an unimaginable loss.
Following a thorough investigation, police determined that the firearm involved in the incident had been left unsecured in the home by 33-year-old Timothy Wayne Burris, who was identified as the boyfriend of the child’s mother. Authorities concluded that the gun had been accessible to the children, leading to the accidental discharge.
After consulting with the Cabarrus County District Attorney’s Office, Burris was arrested and charged with several offenses, including:
- Felony child abuse inflicting serious injury
- Storing a firearm in a manner accessible to a minor
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
Burris was taken into custody and transported to the Cabarrus County Magistrate’s Office, where he was issued a $25,000 bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for January 24.
As the investigation continues, police are working to gather additional details to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have also issued an urgent reminder to all firearm owners about the critical importance of responsible gun storage, emphasizing that tragedies like this can be prevented with proper safety measures.
This devastating loss has sent shockwaves through the Kannapolis community, highlighting the lasting consequences of unsecured firearms in homes with children. Willow Rose’s untimely death has sparked renewed calls for gun safety education and stricter measures to prevent children from accessing firearms.
The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder that firearms, when not stored responsibly, can have fatal consequences. Officials have reiterated the need for gun owners to utilize safety devices, such as trigger locks and locked storage containers, to ensure that firearms are kept out of reach of minors.
The loss of Willow Rose has left her family and loved ones grieving an unimaginable loss, and the community has expressed an outpouring of support and condolences for those affected. The incident also serves as a painful example of the importance of vigilance and responsibility in preventing avoidable accidents.
As this investigation unfolds, Kannapolis police urge the public to take proactive steps to protect children and ensure that firearms are stored securely at all times. Resources and educational materials are available through local law enforcement agencies to assist gun owners in implementing safe storage practices.
To Willow Rose’s family and friends, the thoughts and prayers of the Kannapolis community and beyond are with you during this incredibly difficult time. This tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder of the critical responsibility that comes with firearm ownership and the importance of safeguarding the most vulnerable among us.
May Willow Rose’s memory inspire change and vigilance, and may her family find strength and comfort in the love and support of their community.
