Crime
Man Arrested After Child Fatally Shoots Sibling with Unsecured Firearm in Kannapolis
Burris was taken into custody and transported to the Cabarrus County Magistrate’s Office, where he was issued a $25,000 bond.

KANNAPOLIS, NC – A man has been arrested following a tragic incident in which an unsecured firearm led to the accidental shooting death of a seven-year-old girl Willow Rose.
According to a press release from the City of Kannapolis, officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of Cabarrus Arms Drive at approximately 7:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered that a young girl had been fatally shot by her sibling.
Despite immediate emergency response efforts, the child was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Following an investigation, police determined that 33-year-old Timothy Wayne Burris, identified as the boyfriend of the child’s mother, had left the firearm unsecured within the home.
After consulting with the Cabarrus County District Attorney’s Office, Burris was arrested and charged with:
- Felony child abuse inflicting serious injury
- Storing a firearm in a manner accessible to a minor
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
Burris was taken into custody and transported to the Cabarrus County Magistrate’s Office, where he was issued a $25,000 bond.
His first court appearance is scheduled for January 24.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities continue to gather further details. Police urge all firearm owners to practice responsible storage to prevent such tragedies.
Crime
2 shot outside Brown Middle School in Forney, Two Suspects in Custody

The Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department is actively investigating a shooting that took place Friday afternoon near Brown Middle School in Forney ISD.
Authorities confirmed that two individuals were shot in a residential neighborhood near Windmill Farms Boulevard, just outside Forney city limits.
In response to the incident, two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
However, law enforcement has not yet released details regarding their identities or possible motives.
Forney ISD officials confirmed the presence of an active crime scene in the vicinity, prompting precautionary security measures across multiple campuses.
Brown Middle School, along with North Forney Middle School, Smith Intermediate, Dewberry Elementary, Blackburn Elementary, and Forney Learning Academy, were placed in “secure” mode as a safety precaution.
Despite the close proximity of the shooting, Forney ISD emphasized that the incident did not occur on school grounds and that all students and staff remained safe throughout the situation.
News footage from the scene showed crime scene tape around a vehicle parked in front of the school.
The district lifted the security measures at approximately 3:30 p.m. and began releasing students to their parents.
Students who walk home were expected to leave at their normal dismissal time of 4:00 p.m., though minor delays were anticipated for bus routes.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No further details have been provided regarding the condition of the victims.