CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Tenn. — Claiborne County Sheriff Bob Brooks said a three-year-old child died due to an accidental shooting on Wednesday.
He said that Drake Adams was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. He also said that the father of the child, Anthony Adams, 42, was arrested the same day at around 12 p.m.
"Drake lit up every room we walked into. He loved his mommy, daddy, sister and brothers more than anything," Drake's aunt said to 10News. "He was always the center of attention at all times always making everyone smile. Every morning he’d wake up mommy and daddy for 'Cocomelon' time. He will be missed more than anything. And he was loved by so many."
Drake's aunt said his death was an accident caused by a pellet gun and that the arrest of his father is unrelated to the accident.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, deputies responded to a home on the 400 block of Doe Court in New Tazewell after getting a call that a child had been shot.
He said Adams was charged with illegally owning a gun as a felon, as well as possession of methamphetamine and possession of a Schedule VI substance.
The TBI is assisting CCSO in the investigation.