Suspect jailed in Christmas Eve shooting of Raleigh toddler

Raleigh, N.C. — Police have jailed a suspect in the shooting death of a 3-year-old boy in southeast Raleigh late Christmas Eve.

Police charged Eric Eugene Hinton, 26, the child's father, with involuntary manslaughter and possession of firearm by felon, Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue said. Hinton was arrested before 8 a.m. Thursday morning and is being held on $100,000 bond.

According to the arrest warrant, officers found the body of Pharell Hinton, dead of a gunshot wound, just before midnight Wednesday at 1123 Ujamaa Drive.

Neighbors told WRAL that the home belonged to Eric Hinton's mother and that he would often visit with his children.

Investigators were back on the scene Thursday, where they found evidence to indicate that the gun used in the shooting belonged to Hinton, according to arrest warrants. Investigators said they believe the child somehow got access to the gun and it discharged, killing him.

Sughrue emphasized that the investigation was not complete.

Hinton has a criminal record, with arrests for larceny, trespass, possession of stolen goods and drug use and possession. He served six months in jail in 2006.

Despite his past run-ins with the law, neighbors told WRAL News that Hinton loved his children. A captain on duty at the Wake County Jail said Hinton was brought in very upset and in no condition to talk to anyone.

Hinton should make his first court appearance Friday morning.

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No, if you would listen to the tape, it sounded like the police was more interested in other things than the saving of the childs life. This man was trying to give this little boy CPR with the dispatcher on the phone, and then you hear the police asking all of these questions and this all stops until a little later. What are they main concern here? It was not the childs either...That really puts a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to compassion in this matter.

I was born on Christmas Eve, and when I heard of such a tragedy, it was especially sad. May this little angel rest in peace.

Seeminglyopposed
December 30, 2008 11:58 a.m.

From 1984 until 2006, 43 executions. Since August 2006, zero executions. Now tell me again about how well the death penalty is being put to use in this state. There is no death penalty in this state, nor will there be one in the future - the same people who currently run the probation program, the DOT and (mis)manage our tax dollars will see to that.

meh2
December 25, 2008 9:37 p.m.

"The way the headline reads almost indicates that the father killed him"

The father did kill him : he left a loaded firearm where a 3 year old could access it. It's no different from putting a child in a room with a poisonous snake or on the ledge of a tall bulding.

rargos
December 25, 2008 9:27 p.m.

meh2, here's the list from the state.

http://www.doc.state.nc.us/DOP/deathpenalty/executed.htm

But it's the anti-death penalty advocates who are keeping the sentences from being carried out. They've got the system tied in knots.

discowhale
December 25, 2008 9:01 p.m.

This just a mess. A child is killed the day before christmas. He should have been in bed waiting for Christmas gifts to be put out. I agree with jkca. No child that young needs to be up that late. But some parents just let their children stay up all the late at night and the dad has a gone around a toddler, he should not even have a bond. A 26 year old should have since enough to have weapons out of the possession of a child. Every thing happens for a reason and maybe it was in the best interest of the child to be taken out of this home. Sad but true.

kbo0801
December 25, 2008 8:16 p.m.