NEW ORLEANS — Family and friends came together Sunday evening to grieve the loss of a New Orleans toddler. The family identified the three-year-old boy as Rudy Ratliff.
Ratliff's cousin, Savana Butler, said the boy was full of life.
“A lot of energy. Great ball of fire," Butler said.
New Orleans Police Department is investigating Ratliff's death. The boy was suffering from a gunshot wound when he was brought to University Medical Center just after 11 p.m. Saturday, police said.
Ratliff died at the hospital, according to police.
NOPD said the shooting occurred in the 2200 Block of Willow Street in Central City.
"Child Abuse Detectives are actively gathering information to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event," NOPD said in a press release.
Family friend, Michael Willis, said it's believed the boy somehow got a hold of a gun.
“I don’t want to mislead anybody about what happened, but from what he said, she said is, the scenario is, some kind of way the baby got a hold of the gun," Willis said.
Willis is urging the community to find solutions to gun violence.
“How do we now protect our children and keep guns away from them and out of their hands? So that’s what we’re going to focus on moving forward," Willis said.
"Like I said, trying to figure out how do we pick up the pieces from this situation and also move on as a family and as a community at large," Willis said, "Cause it’s going to affect a lot of people. We’re talking about a three-year-old baby, a precious child, still had a long long life to live.”
Although Ratliff's life was cut short, the family said he would leave a lasting impact on their lives.
“We have another angel watching over us. He had a very short life, but it was fulfilled. I promise you. If you would’ve met him, you would’ve felt it too," Butler said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact NOPD or Crimestoppers.
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