Grandmother Charged After 8-Year-Old Shoots Himself While She Was ‘With Friends’

NASHVILLE, TN — The grandmother of an 8-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself last month has been arrested and charged with criminal homicide and aggravated child neglect, according to police.

Gracie Patton Mimms, 48, is facing charges in connection with the Sept. 14 death of Phillip’e Woodard. Authorities say Phillip’e was left unsupervised in Mimms’ home, where he gained access to a loaded shotgun. The boy was handling the firearm when it discharged, fatally wounding him.

Police reported that Mimms had left the N. 2nd Street residence to "spend time with friends," leaving Phillip’e in the care of a 10-year-old sibling and a 16-year-old family friend, who was reportedly asleep when the gun went off.

She is alleged to have left him inside a room where a loaded shotgun was out and easily accessible. 

The boy was rushed to Vanderbilt Pediatrics but later died from his injuries.

This incident marks the third accidental child death involving firearms in Nashville this year. Authorities reminded residents that free gun locks are available at all Metropolitan Nashville Police Department precincts.

Mimms allegedly knew a shotgun was present in the home, but she believed it was unloaded.