Local news reports further to our original post at the time of the tragedy.
The father of a 2-year-old girl who died after accidentally shooting herself after finding a loaded handgun hid the weapon from police investigators, according to an arrest warrant. Melvin Andre Clark, 19, of the 2600 block of Graham Road, was charged Monday with resisting a public officer and failing to store a firearm to protect a minor. Both charges are misdemeanors. Clark was charged Oct. 20 with involuntary manslaughter and possession of firearm by a felon. Clark's daughter, Samarri Tyana Beauford, died Oct. 19 after a single gunshot struck her in the head, Fayetteville police said. The toddler was playing when she found the loaded .22-caliber semi-automatic Beretta pistol under a couch, police said. Clark attempted to impede Detective Ronnie Hutchins' investigation by taking the pistol and hiding it behind a home on the 6500 block of Amanda Circle, according to arrest documents.
