A 23-year-old man surrendered to police a day after his 3-year-old son fatally shot himself in the head with the man’s pistol.
On Wednesday, July 24, just before 9 p.m., officers from the Metro Nashville Police Department responded to a distressing call from an apartment on Oakwood Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. The call was about a child who had been shot. When they arrived, they found three-year-old Aydeen Pruitt, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Aydeen was immediately rushed to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
According to Metro Nashville Police, Aydeen’s mother told detectives she was in the kitchen when she heard a loud pop coming from the bedroom. Moments later, D’Andre Pruitt, Aydeen’s father, ran out of the room and fled the apartment in a white Kia Soul.
Police began searching for Pruitt to question him about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death. The investigation quickly revealed that D’Andre Pruitt had taken a pistol out of his pocket and placed it on the bedroom floor, not realizing that Aydeen was in the room. Aydeen picked up the gun and accidentally shot himself in the head.
After the incident, Pruitt fled the scene, prompting a manhunt by the authorities. However, Pruitt did not remain on the run for long. On the afternoon of Thursday, July 25, he arranged through a local pastor to surrender to the police at a church. During the subsequent interview at police headquarters, Pruitt admitted to detectives that he had left the pistol on the floor and claimed he did not realize his son was in the bedroom.
Pruitt has been charged with reckless homicide, child neglect, and evidence tampering.
WKRN-TV provided additional context to the family’s troubled history, reporting that this is not the first time tragedy has struck the Pruitt family. D’Andre Pruitt’s girlfriend’s daughter, Taliyah Frazier, was killed in a drive-by shooting last year. On May 30, 2023, Taliyah was in the back seat of a Chevrolet Malibu when another car pulled up at a red light, and someone in the vehicle began shooting. Taliyah, who was only four years old, was struck in the head and died the next day. Pruitt’s two-year-old twin boys were also in the car; one of them sustained a non-critical wound to the head, while the other was unharmed.
The loss of both children in such violent and heartbreaking circumstances has left the Pruitt family and the broader community reeling. The Metro Nashville Police emphasized the importance of gun safety, particularly in homes with children. The department reminded residents that free gun locks are available at police headquarters and all eight precincts during regular business hours.
The community’s reaction to the incident has been one of shock and sadness. Neighbors and friends have expressed their condolences and shared their grief over the loss of Aydeen. “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” one neighbor said, reflecting the deep sorrow and sympathy felt by those close to the family.
The investigation into Aydeen’s death is ongoing, and police are continuing to gather information to understand the full circumstances of the incident. The focus remains on ensuring justice for Aydeen and addressing the broader issues of gun safety and responsibility.
Pruitt is now in custody, facing serious charges including reckless homicide, child neglect, and evidence tampering. The Metro Nashville Police Department continues to investigate the incident, with the community and authorities alike emphasizing the critical importance of gun safety, particularly in households with children.
