A Nashville mother is living a nightmare after her daughter died in a tragic accident. De'Ann Radley was apparently looking for her keys in her purse when a gun inside fired. A single bullet hit her daughter, 13-year-old Dearria Radley. Midtown Hills Precinct police officers arrived at the family's home just before 10 p.m. March 23 and tried to save the teenager's life before transferring her to an area hospital.
Sadly, Dearria later succumbed to her wound at the Vanderbilt Pediatric emergency room, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Now, her mother is grappling with unbearable grief and the loss of her child.
The gun reportedly wasn't secured.
Police said the mother's gun, an unholstered .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol, was inside her purse along with several other things. While she was looking for her keys, the gun went off.
The mother told WSMV she was still in shock. "I didn't know my gun was loaded in my purse and shot through my bag," Radley said. "Then I saw the blood and … oh God."
It appears to be simply a terrible accident.
According to police, no charges have been filed, but the shooting is under investigation by the department's Youth Services Division. Radley told the news outlet she just wants her daughter back.
"I want her to be remembered by that angel voice and those beautiful eyes. She's such a beautiful girl," Radley said, per WSMV. "This is something I'm not ready for. Please, my baby … I just want to hold my baby."
She took to social media to share her story.
A tearful Radely shared a video on social media and said she wouldn't wish this kind of pain on anyone.
She also posted several pictures of her daughter with this caption: "HUG YOUR BABIES TIGHT BC I LOST MINE, WORDS CANT DESCRIBE THIS PAIN MY OLDEST MY TWIN MY MY BABY WAS SO BEAUTIFUL,GOD GIVE ME THE STRENGTH I WOULDNT WISH THIS PAIN ON ANYONE MY HEART IS IN A MILLION PIECES.BUG WAKE UP MOMMY NEEDS YOU 13 YEARS BABY 13 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TOGETHER WHO IS GOING TO TELL ME MOMMA ITS GONE BE OKAY AND HUGGING ME AND WIPING MY TEARS AWAY … DEARRIA I NEED YOU I CANT DO THIS BUG I LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH."
The family is hoping to raise money through a GoFundMe account.
Her mother hopes she can raise funds for a proper funeral and burial for her daughter.
"Hi my name is De'Ann I'm the mother of Dearria, I am needing help for her funeral my 13 year old was accidentally shot and killed, I dont have insurance to bury her, If anyone can help me during these painful times. I would gladly appreciate your contribution god bless you," she wrote.
The GoFundMe account has brought in more than $6,000 of a $15,000 goal thus far.
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Donors shared kind words with the grieving mother.
Supporters offered prayers and love for all involved.
One comment reads, "My prayers are with you and your family."
"Praying for you and the family," someone else wrote.
Another donor hoped the mother could accept the tragedy, commenting, "My heart hurts for this family. I pray that this young mother can find peace."
