GREAT FALLS, S.C. — A 2-year-old boy was shot and killed at a home in Chester County on Wednesday, officials said.
The shooting happened at a home on Washington Street in Great Falls, according to the Chester County Sheriff's Office. The toddler was taken to MUSC Medical Center in Lancaster where he died from his injuries.
Multiple agencies responded to the home, including Great Falls police and Chester County EMS. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is now working on a joint investigation with Great Falls police to determine what happened.
Great Falls Police Chief Olen Martin said the shooting involved an unsecured gun.
"The investigation at this point is focused on how an unsecured firearm was accessed," Martin said in a statement. "It’s a very tight-knit, small community. People are very supportive of one another. Any loss is tragic, but especially with a child of this age," he continued.
While the boy's name wasn't revealed by investigators, WCNC Charlotte was able to speak with the family. Malasia Cloud, his mother, and Marvin Burrell, his father, identified the boy as Rylin Burrell.
"It's like a dream. Like, it's unreal," she said. "When we got inside the hospital, they took us to this little room and I instantly knew my baby was dead."
"My son is dead," she lamented, "and he was so innocent."
Rylin Burrell died on the same day his older sister Riley just turned five years old.
"I said 'do you remember when grandma went to the sky -- Rylin had to go to the sky,'" Cloud said.
Now, Cloud is clinging on to the memories her son made in the short time he was on earth. Marvin Burrell said they were already bonding through sports, music, and dancing.
"He liked football and was the only 2-year-old I know that would watch an entire football game on his tablet," he said.
Officials confirmed a 7-year-old child was placed in emergency protective custody of South Carolina's Department of Social Services pending further investigation. Rylin Burrell's family did confirm to WCNC Charlotte the shooting happened inside a family home.
Anyone who wishes to help with funeral arrangements for Rylin Burrell can donate via Cash App via the Cash Tag $MALAY97.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.