KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 24, 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark and Katrina Katsarelis
The Katy community has rallied around the Terrell family, who said goodbye to their son Radyn, age 3, who succumbed to the gunshot injury last night. On Friday night, Radyn found his father's gun on a high-boy dresser and accidentally fired it.
Turned to Facebook for Support, Prayers
Friday evening, after the accident, mom Rudi Terrell quickly turned to social media to ask family, friends, and the community for their support and most of all prayers.
"Last night Radyn was in a horrible accident," Rudi Terrell posted on Facebook. "I am not going to explain what at this moment I am solely posting this because he is fighting for his life and if anyone is reading this please pray for him to keep fighting and pushing. Thank you."
The boy's mother continued to keep people informed on Saturday when she explained how the doctors would be testing Radyn for brain function.
Then on Sunday evening, Rudi Terrell posted this somber message, "You rest now, my love. I will see you soon."
"As a parent, I know there would be no words one could say to console me after the loss of a child," says Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. "Friends and family can only embrace them and be there for them as they work through the healing. My prayers are with the family."
Katy High School Sweethearts
Radyn's parents, Katy High School sweethearts, Rudi and Rico Terrell, are married with three sons. Rudi Terrell is a freelance makeup artist and an office manager for a local business. She frequently shared pictures and videos of herself and Radyn on her Facebook page.
The Katy community immediately rallied in support of the Terrell family for their loss on social media group sites. The accident is a jolting reminder that kids are fast and can quickly get into trouble. Accidents can happen in any home, at any time.
Boy Climbed to Find Gun
The incident happened at the 28200 block of South Firethorne Road, where authorities say the young boy climbed to reach the .38-caliber pistol located on a tall dresse. Radyn accidentally fired the gun and the bullet hit him in the face near his eye. The boy was thought to have been asleep.
Famous NFL Cousin
Radyn was the cousin of Derrius Guice, a Louisiana native who in 2018 joined the Washington Redskins as a running back.
"My little man fought so hard," Guice said in a written statement. "I wish I could take your place and be the one and not you. You will be missed buddy!"
Go Fund Me Account Update
Read more about Radyn's service and the T-shirt project raising money for the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Education Project. Originally there were posts of a fraudulent Go Fund Me account. These reports are false. One was set up by a family friend but then taken down by her and contributors were refunded. The Terrell family decided against it and chose to go in a different direction.
Hug Your Children
After Radyn's death, Rudi Terrell shared a poignant message on social media. "Everyone keeps asking what they can do and my only answer is, hold your babies so tight every night because we truly never know what tomorrow or the next hour will bring," says Terrell. "If you don't have babies, hold your loved ones. Show love to people who aren't deserving of it because we can never go back."
Comments