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Raleigh toddler dies of accidental gunshot

Timothy Atwater Jr., 2, was visiting relatives at 491 Daniel Harris Road in Henderson when he got access to a weapon and accidentally shot himself, the Vance County Sheriff's Office said.

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HENDERSON, N.C. — A 2-year-old Raleigh boy was killed Tuesday morning after he grabbed a gun from a counter and accidentally shot himself, Vance County authorities said.

Timothy Atwater Jr. and his mother were visiting relatives at 491 Daniel Harris Road outside Henderson at the time of the shooting, Sheriff Peter White said.

He was taken to Maria Parham Hospital where he died.

Investigators are still looking into what happened and have not said whether any charges would be filed in the case.

An aerial view of the residence shortly after the shooting showed people carrying guns out of the home.

The location operated as Granny's Cokesbury Nursery and Playschool until it closed in November 2008, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. It no longer has a license.

Family members and neighbors declined to talk about what happened. Neighbors did say however, that the older couple who lives at the residence is very well respected and that they cannot believe what happened.

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