Christopher Davis
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Gastonia man accused of shooting a child has died from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Christopher Shawn Davis died Wednesday at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Davis, 27, is accused of shooting a child in the hand on Friday in Newton.
Davis went to his ex-girlfriend’s house at 815 N. Ervin Ave., Newton, shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.
Tara Walters, her current boyfriend and four children were at the house.
An argument ensued and Davis reportedly fired shots into the house. An 8-year-old boy who was in his bedroom was struck in the hand by a bullet.
Davis then turned the gun on himself, according to police.
When police arrived, Davis was face down on the lawn. There was no entrance or exit wound visible, according to Newton Police Chief Don Brown. That would indicate that Davis possibly shot himself in the mouth or under the chin, Brown said.
Davis and the injured child were taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center. The boy was treated and released.
Davis was flown to CMC-Charlotte where he died five days later.
Brown said investigators have been interviewing witnesses to piece together what happened.
Witnesses have told police that the gun belonged to Davis. Police believe that Davis was a convicted felon which made it illegal for him to have a firearm. Davis was arrested in Gaston County in 2012 for assault on a female.
