Greensboro Man Charged After Child Shot in Durham Home
A Greensboro man has been charged after a 4 year old boy accidentally shot himself with a 9mm pistol inside a Durham home, and the child was reported in critical but stable condition. The case highlights concerns about firearm storage and child safety that resonate across Guilford County and neighboring communities.
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A 52 year old Greensboro man, identified as Patrick Daye, was charged after a 4 year old boy accidentally shot himself with a 9mm pistol inside a Durham residence, according to WRAL reporting carried by WXII. Durham police were called at about 10:40 a.m., and officers found the child with a gunshot wound. Authorities say Daye left the firearm in a condition where it could be discharged and accessible to the child. The child was in critical but stable condition at the time of the report. Daye appeared in court and the investigation remained ongoing at the time of publication.
The incident, involving a Guilford County resident in a neighboring county, underscores a regional public health concern. Accidental shootings among young children place families, emergency services and trauma centers under sudden strain, and they expose gaps in household safety practices. For residents of Guilford County, where many families live in close communities and share social ties with Durham, the case is a reminder that firearm safety is a neighborhood issue that crosses jurisdictional lines.
Beyond the immediate medical emergency, the case raises questions about enforcement and prevention. Law enforcement describes the firearm as having been left in a condition where it could be fired and accessible to a child. Investigators are pursuing charges and working to determine the full circumstances that led to the shooting. Prosecutors and courts will weigh those findings as the case moves forward, while public health officials and child advocates note the importance of preventing such incidents before they occur.
The community impact extends to hospitals, schools and parents who must confront the reality that young children can find unsecured weapons in homes. Emergency responders and pediatric care teams frequently emphasize that secure storage, including locked containers and separate storage of ammunition, reduces the risk of accidental injury. Local advocacy groups and public health agencies often offer education and resources focused on safe storage, but access to these programs varies by neighborhood and by family resources.
This incident also touches on equity concerns. Families with fewer resources may face barriers to purchasing safe storage equipment or to accessing education about firearm safety. Community leaders and public health planners in Guilford County may consider expanding partnerships with clinics, schools and social service agencies to distribute safety devices and information, and to reach populations at higher risk.
As the legal process continues in Durham, the community can expect ongoing updates from law enforcement. For parents and caregivers in Guilford County the episode is both a warning and a call to action. Preventing similar tragedies will require consistent safe storage practices, better access to safety resources, and coordinated public health outreach that reaches all neighborhoods.
