Three-yr-old Tot Shot Dead By Dad After “Shotgun” Game
Gary Wayne Garretson liked to play a deadly game of “shotgun” with his 3-yr-old son, Anthony. The game “ended” on November 29.
“You can’t get me, Daddy.”
According to the Times West Virginian, the father of the 3-yr-old tot, Gary Garretson, of Coal City, West Virginia, shot his little boy in the face with a 12-gauge shotgun while the two were “playing a game” and that he thought the gun “wasn’t loaded”.
Garretson told police “he had done this in the past as a bit of a game with his son, saying that he was going to get him,” the complaint said.
The toddler would respond, “You can’t get me, daddy,” according to the complaint.
Garretson was arrested and is currently charged with “death of a child by a parent by child abuse”. He is currently being held at Southern Regional Jail where his bond was set at $500,000. Authorities at the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department stated that Anthony’s mother, Darlene Garretson, died 4 months ago, but that her death was “unrelated” to this case.
Anthony Garretson, age 3, of Coal City, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at his home.
Born on Feb. 10, 2005, in Chicago, Ill., he was the son of Gary Wayne Garretson and the late Darlene Garretson.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Tom and Lucy Garretson.
He is survived by aunt, Sherry Garretson of Florida; great aunts and uncles: Sam Garretson and wife, Gladys of Coal City, Nathan Garretson of Coal City, and Jim Garretson and his wife, Joyce of Meadow Bridge.
Services will be 1 p.m. today at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley with the Rev. Lowell Black officiating.
Friends may call one hour prior to the services today at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to our guest book at www.roseandquesenberry.net
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Beckley.
-Register Herald
Our thoughts and prayers go out to family of Anthony.
By LBG
Source – Register Herald
Source - Charleston Daily Mail
