A Heartbreaking Loss for Antioch Family: 3-Year-Old Grandson Dies in Tragic Accident

On the evening of April 8, 2025, the Antioch community was struck by a devastating and incomprehensible tragedy that has left a family in grief and the neighborhood reeling. A 3-year-old boy, who had been staying with his grandparents at their Clearbrook Road residence, tragically lost his life after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

This heart-wrenching accident occurred when the toddler, whose name is being respectfully withheld to protect the privacy of his family, gained access to a firearm that was reportedly not properly secured. Despite the quick and valiant efforts of emergency responders, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. The Antioch Police Department has confirmed that the incident appeared to be accidental, but the circumstances surrounding how the firearm was accessed and the child’s tragic death have left the family and the community in profound mourning.

The Community’s Outpouring of Sympathy

The loss of such a young life has deeply impacted the Antioch community, with neighbors and local residents struggling to process the shock and heartbreak of what occurred. Families in the area have shared their condolences, and many have expressed a heartfelt desire to support the grieving family in this difficult time.

One neighbor, Susan Hartman, reflected on the sorrow she felt for the family: “This kind of tragedy is something you never expect to happen in your own neighborhood. My heart breaks for them. We all want to do anything we can to help them during such an incredibly painful moment.”

Linda Corbetta, another neighbor who witnessed the aftermath, was visibly shaken. “I saw the emergency responders carrying the little boy from the house,” she said. “It was an image that no one should have to see, especially with such a young child. You just can’t fathom something like this happening.” Corbetta went on to describe the shock and disbelief that took over the community. “It’s hard to even comprehend something so tragic happening to someone so young, someone so full of potential.”

In the days following the incident, a vigil was held in the community to honor the young child’s memory. Residents gathered to light candles, share stories of the child’s bright smile, and offer support to the grieving family. The event, though somber, was a testament to the strong sense of unity and compassion that exists in the Antioch community.

The Grief of the Family

As the news of the child’s passing spread, the family has been left to navigate a profound and unthinkable grief. While they have not made any public statements at this time, their sorrow is felt deeply by those close to them. Friends and family members have expressed their shock at the loss of the child, and the family remains in mourning as they process the overwhelming pain of losing such a young, innocent life.

The tragedy has also sparked conversations about the responsibility of caregivers to ensure the safety of children, particularly in households with firearms. The legal proceedings against the child’s grandfather, Jamal Edwards, who has been charged with felony counts including criminal storage of a firearm and child cruelty, have added to the complexity of an already painful situation. Many people in the community have found themselves grappling with the tragic intersection of personal loss and public responsibility.

The Legal Process

Jamal Edwards, the child’s grandfather, has been charged with criminal storage of a firearm and willful child cruelty. According to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, Edwards is facing charges because the firearm involved in the incident was not stored