Brandy Shaw (left) comforts Veronica Taylor, the mother of a Cartersville boy who was killed after sustaining an accidental gunshot wound on Dec. 29. (Contributed photo by Jason Senn)
Bailey Campbell (left) and Brandon Anderson hold candles at a vigil for Robert Taylor, their Tsunami baseball teammate who died on Wednesday. (Contributed photo by Jason Senn)
Robert Taylor III, 13, of Cartersville died Dec. 29 as the result of an accidental shooting.
Robert was described as a quiet boy with a sweet disposition who loved baseball so much he told friends he would one day build a baseball field in heaven.
“He spent a lot of time at our house,” said Tammy Marcaurelle, one of the vigil organizers. “I was blessed to have known him.”
Robert, an eighth-grader at Woodland Middle School in Bartow County, was shot and killed in a friend’s home on Wednesday.
According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, the shooting — which involved a shotgun — was accidental.
The gunshot wound was not self-inflicted, Millsap said.
Another young boy was involved in the incident, but his name and age have not been released to the public.
Millsap said no foul play is suspected, and the shooting is being treated as an accident. However authorities are continuing to investigate.
“We are 99.78-percent sure it was accidental,” Millsap said.
Deputies were called to the Freedom Drive home at around 3:35 p.m. on Dec. 29 in reference to a juvenile being hurt. When officers entered the home they found Robert with a gunshot wound. He was taken to Cartersville Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
According to neighbors, the other young man was taken to Floyd Medical the night of Dec. 29. Millsap confirmed this, saying the boy was not injured and was taken for evaluation.
“It is a tragedy,” Millsap said. “It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to go home and hug your 14-year-old, because I have one.”
Marcaurelle’s son, Nick, was one of Robert’s close friends. She and fellow organizer, Brandy Shaw, described Robert as wonderful and kind.
“Meeting him, I feel like I won the lottery,” said Robert’s baseball coach Willie Burge. “This young man made an impression on my life.”
Robert had played one season of baseball for the Tsunami in Bartow County, and was a favorite among his teammates, Burge said.
“We shall hold hands and ride this storm together,” Burge told those in attendance at Dec. 30’s vigil.
Parnick Jennings Funeral Homes in Cartersville is in charge of funeral services for Robert. No date for the funeral has been set.
I disagree totally. I grew up in a house with guns. I shot my first gun at a much younger age than this poor boy. What all parents have to do is teach their children that guns are not toys and keep them in a gun safe. Even if you don't own any firearms, still teach your children this.
This is a tragedy. A horrible, devestating tragedy that may have been avoided by lessons in gun safety and responsibility. I don't know if this is the case in this situation. What I do know is that my dad always stressed to me and my brother that you NEVER, EVER point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot/kill. I was taught how to respect a firearm. It never crossed the minds of me or my brother to take it out and have "show and tell" with our friends. We knew better.
If you keep them hidden away as "secrets" you give a curious kid an open invitation to check it out on their own.
Be a responsible gun owner, not remove the gun. How would you justify your "no gun rule: no ifs, ands, or buts," if an armed person were to break into your house while your family is home and you have no means of protecting them?
The focus of this article should be on the family-not removing the gun. My sympathies to you and I am very sorry for your loss.
.......JUST A LIL SIMPLE PRAYER
LORD, WHEN MY SOUL IS WEARY
AND MY HEART IS TIRED AND SORE,
AND I HAVE THAT FAILING FEELING
THAT I CAN'T TAKE ANYMORE;
THEN LET ME KNOW THE FRESHENING
FOUND IN A SIMPLE CHILDLIKE PRAYER,WHEN
THE KNEELING SOUL KNOWS SURELY
THAT A LISTENING LORD IS THERE.......
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL