Harmony Warfield Shooting: Feds Charge Nashville Man After Toddler Shoots, Kills 7-Year-Old Cousin

NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville's U.S. Attorney filed federal gun charges against a 27-year-old man in connection with the shooting death of 7-year-old Harmony Warfield at the J.C. Napier Homes last week.

Anthony Patrick Sanders, 27, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearms in contravention of federal law, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Jack Smith announced Thursday. Law enforcement contends it was Sanders' gun that was picked up and fired by a 2-year-old, hitting and killing Harmony, the toddler's cousin. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

Sanders was convicted of kidnapping in 2008 and was released from prison in June 2016.

"Another innocent child has died because the defendant, a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, chose to ignore the law and arm himself with handguns," Smith said in a statement. “It is apparent from this investigation that multiple people knew that the defendant regularly carried firearms and some had even told him not to bring guns into the area where so many children are located. We implore our citizens to do the right thing and notify law enforcement when they become aware of someone who is illegally carrying a firearm. We can and will continue to bring federal charges against individuals who illegally possess firearms after having been convicted of a felony, but, as is the case here, these charges are usually brought after violent acts have occurred. We desperately need the help of our law abiding citizens if we are going to be successful in reducing the number of violent incidents involving firearms.”

Investigators allege Sanders had spent the night in the home and "was known to generally carry one or two firearms whenever he was in the J.C. Napier housing area," occasionally keeping them in home where Harmony was shot. After sleeping on the couch, Sanders woke up and went outside, witnesses told investigators, who said video surveillance corroborated those accounts. Soon thereafter, the gun was discharged by the 2-year-old, striking Harmony in the head. Witnesses said Sanders went back inside, saw Harmony laying on the kitchen floor, grabbed the gun and fled, saying he could not go back to prison.

Also according to the complaint, three other juveniles were inside the residence at the time.

Sanders was arrested Wednesday afternoon.

Image via Metro Nashville Police