Neighbors share reaction after three year old shot and killed in Danville

DANVILLE (WSLS 10) - Monday, a makeshift memorial of balloons, teddy bears, and flowers sat on the front steps of 834 Edmonds Street.

Saturday evening, the home was surrounded by police investigating after a three year old was found shot. The chils died a short time later at the hospital.

Late Monday afternoon, police said the shooting is believed to be the result of an accidental discharge.

"In a case like this, all investigative avenues we'll look into. It's an unfortunate incident," said Danville Police Department Lt. Mike Wallace.

As of Monday, police had not released the name of the child and would not go into detail as to why.

"Later on, we may have some more details," Lt. Wallace said.

Neighbor Ann Johnson says she last saw the boy Friday morning outside waiting for the bus.

"He was waiting on the school bus, him and his dad. They were smiling," Johnson recalled.

She doesn't know the family well but says they were excellent people and she enjoyed having them as a neighbor.

She says she placed a teddy bear on the steps and said a prayer for the family when she found out what happened.

"I was struggling. It was sad. It was very heartbreaking," Johnson said.

A neighbor WSLS spoke to Monday who didn't want to go on camera says the neighborhood has gotten progressively worse in the 70 years he's lived there.

Saturday night while police were investigating, Carroll Yates, who lives on Edmonds St., stopped by to see what was going on.

"I was out here cutting grass and I saw a fire truck and ambulance and multiple police cars go down there. I counted five," Yates said.

He initially thought there was a fire, but unfortunately that was not the case.

Lt. Wallace says police have no reason to believe there is a suspect in the neighborhood shooting at juveniles but he did not elaborate.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at (434) 793-0000.