A family in Atlanta is mourning the loss of a 12-year-old boy whose infectious humor and larger-than-life personality made him unforgettable to everyone who knew him. Cameron Coney, affectionately known as “Big Cam,” died on Saturday, April 11, 2026, after a gun was accidentally discharged inside his home.
Cameron was a student at Crawford Long Middle School, where he was well-liked by classmates and known for his playful spirit. He loved telling jokes, playing football, and spending time with his mother and siblings. His aunt described him as a good kid who had never been in trouble. Family members said he enjoyed being around his cousins and wrestling with his sisters, always bringing laughter wherever he went.
On the afternoon of April 11, Cameron was at his home on the 1800 block of Lathrop Street SE in Atlanta when several friends came over to hang out. According to investigators, one of the youths brought a gun into Cameron’s bedroom, and the group began handling it. A 14-year-old pointed the firearm at multiple kids in the room before the gun discharged as it touched Cameron’s chest.
Police responded shortly before 2 p.m. and found Cameron suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The 14-year-old involved in the shooting was arrested and charged with murder, according to Atlanta Police. Authorities said the teen had been “messing around” with the gun, and the shooting appeared to stem from reckless handling rather than a premeditated act. The suspect’s identity has not been released due to his age.
Cameron’s death has shaken the community. A vigil was held in his memory, drawing more than 100 people who gathered to honor a boy whose humor and energy left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Loved ones remembered him as spirited, loud, and unapologetically himself, a 12-year-old who could light up any room he entered.
His family is now left grieving a young life lost to a moment of thoughtlessness involving a firearm. They remember him as a goofy, funny, and joyful child who loved his family, loved to laugh, and believed he was the freshest in the room. In a statement, his aunt said, “He was a good kid. He had never been in trouble. He was just being a kid.” The investigation remains active as the community struggles to make sense of a tragedy that should never have happened.