‘It hurts a lot’: Mother speaks after child dies in accidental shooting

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Travyanna Wilkerson says there is not a day that goes by where she isn’t reminded that her only son is no longer here with her.

She says at 4-years-old Landyn was an old soul who never got the chance to grow up.

A 4-year-old with a heart of gold, and pipes to match— now memories are all that’s left for the family of Landyn Wilkerson to hold on to.

After tragedy struck their family on May 29, WTOC reported in May that Landyn accidently shot and killed himself while at the Hampton Apartments in Statesboro.

His family, still heartbroken, are pushing to not only keep his memory alive but also make change in their community.

“People tend to forget after a few months,” said Wilkerson. “People just forget.”

Bulloch County came together for Landyn before, after his death and the death of 9-year-old Emily Mayo. Both died in separate shootings just days a part.

Landyn’s mother, Travyanna Wilkerson says Landyn’s life was not taken by hate or illness but by something preventable, an unsecured gun.

“It was just me and Landyn, so it makes me very angry,” said Wilkerson.

Since his death, she says her life has flipped upside down. She says he is the first thing she thinks about when she wakes up and last thing before she falls asleep.

“He was gonna be a great man, because I am his momma,” said Wilkerson.

But she continues to talk about the importance of gun safety, encouraging people to pay attention and be responsible.

“My son, Landyn Ahmir Wilkerson was only four years old, full of love, laughter, and so much light. He had the kind of smile that could brighten even the darkest day.

On May 29, 2025, everything changed. His life was taken far too soon; not by hate, not by illness, but by something preventable: an unsecured gun. One moment of carelessness ended his life and forever changed mine.

No parent should ever have to experience that pain. And no child should ever have to lose their future because of something that could have been prevented.

And I, Travyana Wilkerson, am here to tell you this not just as his mother, but as someone who wants to make sure no other family has to feel this kind of pain.

Gun safety isn’t just a rule; it’s an act of love. Locking your firearm, keeping it out of reach, and taking that one extra moment can save a child’s life. It could have saved my baby’s.

Even though my baby isn’t here physically, I feel him with me every single day. His spirit pushes me to speak up, to keep his memory alive, and to turn heartbreak into purpose.

So, as we remember Landyn, I ask that you carry his name with you. Let Landyn’s story be a reminder that even in pain, we can create purpose!”

Travyanna Wilkerson

“If you don’t store your gun out of the reach of a kid, it could end the way it ended for Landyn,” said Wilkerson.

To keep Landyn’s story alive, his mom is planning on giving away Christmas gifts to other kids, and continue the community conversation around property gun storage and safety.

How to secure weapons

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the U.S., with the risk of accidental shootings, suicides, and homicides increasing in homes with guns.

According to Project ChildSafe, to keep kids safe, secure firearms in a locked case or safe, and use a trigger lock and store ammunition separately.

Keeping guns locked, unloaded, and out of the reach of children can prevent accidental shootings, suicides, and unauthorized use.

Secure storage methods

• Locked gun safes: These are a highly effective way to prevent access to firearms.
• Trigger locks: These devices prevent guns from being fired by blocking the trigger.
• Ammunition storage: Keep all ammunition in a separate, locked container, away from the firearms.