Columbus Community Mourns Death of 3-Year-Old Boy in Accidental Shooting on Southeast Side
Columbus , Ohio – Heartbreak continues to ripple through the community after the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy who police say accidentally shot himself on the city’s southeast side.
The incident occurred in the 6600 block of Kodiak Drive, where the child, identified as Cartier Smith, was rushed to the hospital but later pronounced dead.
Community leaders expressed grief and disbelief. “They were devastated and questioning why this happened to such a young child,” said Arnetta Davis, who works with families in Canal Winchester coping with tragedy.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also shared his sorrow, saying, “I am not just the mayor, I am a dad. Anytime we lose a child in this community, it really hits home. It reminds us we must double down on efforts to improve safety.”
Police have charged Sean Perrin, 31, with having a weapon under disability, accusing him of bringing the firearm into the apartment. The boy’s mother, Carley Dials, faces an involuntary manslaughter charge. Prosecutors say she placed the gun between her mattress and the wall after finding it on the floor, before falling back asleep. The child later found the firearm.
The neighborhood has faced tragedy before. In 2021, three people — Londynn Wall-Neal, 6; her brother Demetrius, 9; and Charles Wade, 22 — were fatally shot on the same block. No arrests have been made in that case.
“This community is heartbroken. People were still trying to heal from the last tragedy, and now we are facing another loss of a child,” Davis said.
The Columbus Division of Police continues to investigate the incident.
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