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'We're Torn Apart': Family Grieves Baby Shot by 3-Year-Old

One-year-old was killed in Cleveland by a 3-year-old with an unsecured handgun, police say.
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/ Source: NBC News

The family of a 1-year-old boy shot to death by a 3-year-old in Cleveland is "torn apart" by the tragedy, a cousin said Monday.

Braylon Robinson was "always smiling" during his short life, Trashawn Robinson told NBC News.

"He kept everyone happy."

He said that on Sunday, Braylon's mother was watching him and her friend's two kids when the 3-year-old got his hands on a gun and shot the younger boy in the face.

"He didn't even make it to the hospital," Robinson said.

"We're torn apart," he said. "Everybody loved Braylon."

The cousin said he did not know who owned the gun. Police have said the adult responsible for the weapon could be charged.

Police said Braylon's mother was in the same room with the children but had her back turned when she heard a single shot.

"The mother then observed the victim lying on the floor bleeding. A handgun was recovered from the room near the 3 year old child," they said in a statement.

The other two children were not hurt and were returned to their mother.

"It’s a sad day for Cleveland," Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said at a news conference after the shooting.

"Currently we’re investigating where this firearm came from. We’re also investigating how this tragedy actually happened," Williams told reporters. "But everybody has to know that this fascination we have with handguns, not just in this city but in this country, has to stop.

"This is a senseless loss of life in this city again, and it’s directly related to guns, and we need to really take a hard look at the things that we’re doing out there on the state, local and the national level to get these guns out of our communities," Williams added. "Nothing good ever happens."

Image: Braylon Robinson
Picture of Braylon Robinson, a 1-year-old killed by 3-year-old in Cleveland, Ohio.Trashawn Robinson