A Tennessee 2-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot Himself in the Head. Now, His Mother’s Boyfriend Is Accused of Homicide.

A Tennessee man has been arrested after his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son got ahold of a gun and fatally shot himself in the head, according to authorities.

On Nov. 1, 2021, 24-year-old Jeffery L. Thorpe arrived home at night in Nashville and put a pistol on the bed where the child and his mother were sitting, according to Metro Police.

Authorities said Thorpe then took a shower, leaving the gun on the bed near the 2-year-old, Anthony.

While Thorpe was in the shower, the child reportedly grabbed the gun and shot himself in the head.

The child's parents immediately brought Anthony to the hospital and he died on Nov. 6, 2021, officials said.

Anthony’s mother, who was Thorpe’s girlfriend at the time, stayed with her son at the hospital after the shooting. However, police say Thorpe fled.

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On May 3, officers spotted Thorpe in the East Nashville area. After a brief foot chase, Thorpe was taken into custody and booked into the Downtown Detention Center.

Thorpe was charged with reckless homicide, felony child neglect, aggravated assault against his girlfriend, theft, resisting arrest and trespassing counts, according to authorities.