‘Ball of joy’: Vigil held for 5-year-old who died in accidental shooting

CHARLOTTE — A vigil was held Friday night for five-year-old Lyric Thomas who died from an accidental shooting on Sunday in north Charlotte.

It happened on Moretz Avenue, which is near North Graham Street.

CMPD said officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call just after midnight. Officers found Lyric who had been shot, and MEDIC said the girl died at the scene.

“My baby was everything,” said Margone Thomas, Lyric’s father. “My baby was a ball of life. A ball of joy. Anybody she was around -- anybody she touched, she loved them like she’s known them forever.”

Balloons were released at the end of the candlelight vigil.

“She had a great life,” Thomas said. “She lived her life. She had a better life than most people will ever have.”

“Because I can cry, and I can scream. I can yell,” said Christina Morris, Lyric’s mother. “I can be mad, but I know she’s in a better place. I know she’s in a better place.”

Leaders with the Druid Hills Association were at the vigil and talked about gun safety.

“We are trying to disseminate information to all persons that are holding or owners of guns on how to properly store them,” said Willie Tabor, with the Druid Hills Association. “We even passed out gun safety locks.”

It appears no one will be charged.

Details of the accidental shooting have not been released.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Grandmother shot while asleep inside northwest Charlotte home, family says)

Grandmother shot while asleep inside northwest Charlotte home, family says

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