A three-year-old boy named Jayvinvontae Keion-Ray Carter, known as Jay, died in Evansville, Indiana, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, after a handgun stored under couch cushions discharged. Jayvinvontae was born January 27, 2022, and family described him as joyful, curious, and affectionate with a love of being outside and riding in cars.

His mother tried to grab the gun and it discharged, causing a fatal wound. Emergency crews transported him to Deaconess Midtown Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses said the gun was typically hidden under the couch cushions.

Jayvinvontae’s father, 30-year-old Jovontae K. Carter, was arrested after leaving the scene with the handgun and admitting to throwing it in a creek; investigators later recovered the weapon in a yard. He faces charges including neglect of a dependent causing death and illegal possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, plus a marijuana possession charge; the prosecutor will decide how to proceed.

Did anyone in the Evansville area know Jayvinvontae or have information about how firearms were stored at that apartment?