A Life Cut Tragically Short: 5-Year-Old Killed by Twin Brother in Accidental Shooting
DeKalb County, GA – What should have been an ordinary summer day for two playful five-year-old twin brothers ended in unimaginable heartbreak. On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, emergency responders were called to The Village at Wesley Chapel Apartment Homes after reports of a child shot. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Jeremiah Emmanuel George Jr., just five years old, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite rapid medical intervention and transport to a local hospital, Jeremiah succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The tragedy worsened when investigators revealed that the shot was accidentally fired by Jeremiah’s own twin brother, who had discovered a loaded handgun left unattended in a black purse inside their mother’s nightstand. Other small children were present in the home at the time, magnifying the risk and trauma for the entire family.
Mother Charged: When Negligence Turns Fatal
La’Necia Bennett, 25, the mother of the boys, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to children. According to arrest warrants, Bennett knowingly left the loaded firearm unsecured, fully aware that her two young sons were inside the bedroom. The gun was not locked in a safe, nor hidden in a way to prevent access. Police say this lack of caution directly contributed to Jeremiah’s death.
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston emphasized that these tragedies are entirely preventable. “Proper gun storage can mean the difference between life and death,” she stated. At a recent court hearing, Bennett’s bond was set at $30,000, with conditions including no firearm possession, cooperation with child services, and no communication with her surviving children regarding the incident.
This incident is a grim reminder of how a single moment of negligence can forever shatter a family.
Remembering Jeremiah: A Joyful Child Whose Light Was Taken Too Soon
Jeremiah Emmanuel George Jr. was known to those around him as a bright, joyful little boy, full of laughter, energy, and curiosity. He and his twin brother were inseparable—exploring their world together like any five-year-olds, blissfully unaware of the dangers adults are entrusted to guard against. Neighbors and relatives described Jeremiah as “sweet, full of life, and always smiling.”
Now, his twin brother will grow up with the unbearable burden of a moment he never meant to cause—a consequence of adult irresponsibility. The ripple effects of this loss stretch deep into the hearts of everyone who knew Jeremiah, and even those who didn’t. The community continues to mourn, while law enforcement and local organizations work to raise awareness about responsible firearm storage, offering free gun locks in hopes of preventing another tragedy.
