A toddler was killed by an accidental shooting inside a Lawrence, Kansas, home on September 17, 2021. Emergency responders were called to a residence in the 1500 block of Wedgewood Drive around 10:45 a.m. and found 2-year-old Legend Francis King critically injured by a gunshot wound. He was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead later that day.

Investigators say the firearm was a stolen handgun that had been tucked into the cushions of a sofa. Legend’s cousin, 21-year-old Bishop Isaiah Mendoza, reportedly had been sleeping on that couch earlier; authorities arrested Mendoza on September 24, 2021, on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated child endangerment and possession of a stolen handgun. The family publicly mourned Legend and asked for leniency toward Mendoza. Funeral services for Legend were held on October 8, 2021.

If anyone has information about what happened that morning or knew the family, please share what you know.