Tennessee Father Charged After 6-Year-Old Son Fatally Shoots Himself

The father allegedly left a loaded gun in his pocket while playing with the child, who later died from the gunshot wound.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:53pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single .380 caliber bullet casing against a pitch-black background, capturing the harsh, gritty details of the metal surface under dramatic lighting to conceptually represent the investigation into a child's accidental shooting death.A single bullet casing becomes a stark symbol of the tragic consequences when a firearm is not properly secured around children.Today in Nashville

A 56-year-old Tennessee man has been charged with criminal homicide after his 6-year-old son fatally shot himself with a gun the father had in his pocket. According to police, Steven Lamont Phillips was playing with his son, Steven Lamont Ricks, when he fell asleep with the loaded .380 caliber pistol in his pocket. Phillips later awoke to the sound of a gunshot and found his son had shot himself in the head.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the importance of responsible gun ownership and storage, especially when children are present. It also raises questions about the accessibility of firearms and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such accidents.

The details

The shooting occurred on Saturday at a home on the 3100 block of Qualynn Drive in Nashville, Tennessee. Phillips told police he had found the gun in a ditch earlier that day and put it in his pocket. While playing with his son, Phillips fell asleep on the floor, and the boy later shot himself in the head with the gun. The child was rushed to the hospital but later pronounced dead.

  • On Saturday, Phillips was caring for his 6-year-old son at a home in Nashville.
  • Phillips fell asleep on the floor while playing with his son, with the loaded gun in his pocket.
  • Phillips awoke to the sound of a gunshot and found his son had shot himself in the head.

The players

Steven Lamont Phillips

The 56-year-old Tennessee man who has been charged with criminal homicide after his 6-year-old son fatally shot himself with a gun in Phillips' pocket.

Steven Lamont Ricks

The 6-year-old boy who was killed after shooting himself with a gun that was in his father's pocket.

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What they’re saying

“He had so much life ahead of him, and now it's been cut short in the most heartbreaking way. We are devastated by the loss of Junebug, who was shot and killed at just 6 years old. Our family is struggling to cope with this unimaginable pain.”

— GoFundMe, Fundraiser for Steven Lamont Ricks

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Phillips to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the critical need for responsible gun ownership and storage, especially in homes with children. It also highlights the devastating consequences that can occur when firearms are not properly secured, and the importance of stricter regulations to prevent such accidents.