Father charged with murder after boy, 2, shoots himself in DeKalb

A 2-year-old boy accidentally shot himself to death in DeKalb County, and his father has been charged, police said.

The shooting occurred in the 1900 block of Shamrock Drive, a residential area in the Candler-McAfee neighborhood just south of Glenwood Road, around 5:40 p.m. Wednesday. Police said they were called about shots fired in that area and found the boy with a gunshot wound.

The child was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead. He was identified as Maeson Labiran by the DeKalb Medical Examiner’s Office.

“It was determined the child’s father left his firearm unsecured and the child picked it up, accidentally shooting himself,” police spokesman Lt. Shane Smith confirmed.

ExploreWhen children unintentionally shoot themselves or other children, who is to blame?

According to an arrest warrant, the boy shot himself in the head, and his father is accused of causing his death after leaving a firearm unattended.

Michael Labiran, 39, was arrested on charges of felony murder and second-degree cruelty to children, according to DeKalb jail records.

— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.

About the Author

Officials ID Hall parents killed in murder-suicide witnessed by child

After the shooting occurred, the 9-year-old girl hid in a closet and used FaceTime to call a friend, whose parents called the police, the Hall County sheriff's office said.