Father charged with murder after 2-year-old boy shoots himself in DeKalb County

Written by: E. George

Published October 7, 2024 @ 1:30 PM ET

Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged physical violence against/neglect of children.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities confirmed that a two-year-old boy shot himself with his father’s unsecured gun and has passed away from his injuries after being transported to the hospital.

Police arrested the child’s father, 39-year-old Michael Labiron, and charged him with second-degree child cruelty and felony murder.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:40 PM on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at a Shamrock Drive home in the Candler-McAfee neighborhood in DeKalb County.

According to investigators, Labiron left a firearm unattended. Lieutenant Shane Smith, a police spokesperson, stated, “It was determined the child’s father left his firearm unsecured, and the child picked it up, accidentally shooting himself.”

An arrest warrant revealed the victim shot himself in the head.

Labiron remains detained at the DeKalb County Jail. This case is pending in court.