A Tallahassee man was arrested in connection with the accidental death last year of his 3-year-old son who shot himself with his father’s gun.
Kadeem Thomas, 33, was arrested April 6 on a charge of culpable negligence in the death of his son, Kane Thomas, and booked into the Leon County Detention Facility, according to court records.
A GoFundMe has raised thousands of dollars for the mother of Kane Josiah Amir Thomas, 3, who was shot and killed Nov. 9, 2025.
On Nov. 9, 2025, Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a residence in the 4000 block of Augustus Oak Court in reference to a shooting. The little boy died at the scene, and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun was found near the boy’s body on a sofa.
Thomas opted not to make any statements at the time, though he said in a 911 call that his son had “shot himself.” Several days after the shooting, Thomas and his attorney met with investigators for a recorded interview at the Sheriff’s Office.
He said he was hanging out with friends the night of the shooting and put the boy to bed around 11:45 p.m. After his friends left, he said he took a shower, made some food and smoked marijuana before falling asleep on the couch.
“He advised prior to falling asleep he placed the firearm which had been ‘tucked in the couch’ on the sofa seat next to him,” the arrest report says. “He awoke to a ‘pop’ sound and felt Kane beside him on the sofa. He stood up and grabbed Kane’s face and observed his ‘eyes roll back.’ “
Under questioning, Thomas said he kept the gun in the sofa because he “used to be a knucklehead,” according to the arrest report. He admitted storing the gun that way was not a good idea and “having it out like that was not safe,” the report says.
Under Florida statutes, anyone who leaves a firearm “within the reach or easy access of a minor” who uses it to inflict injury or death on himself or others commits culpable negligence, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Leon County Judge Stefanie Newlin set bond at $25,000 on April 7 during his first court appearance. She also ordered him to surrender any firearms within four hours of his release, follow a Florida Department of Children and Families case plan and have no unsupervised contact with minors.
Kane remembered as a ‘radiant light.’
A GoFundMe organized on behalf of Kane’s mother after his death raised more than $22,000. Kane’s loved ones say he had an “old soul in a young body,” and that they will “forever hold him in their hearts.”
“From the beginning, Kane was a bright light – radiant, joyful, and full of life. His talkative nature and magnetic personality drew everyone in; truly, he never met a stranger. Kane possessed a rare gift – an old soul in a young body,” his obituary state. “He had a natural understanding of people and showed compassion well beyond his years, always checking to make sure those around him were okay.”
According to the obituary, Kane adored dinosaurs, pizza, and all sorts of animals, and his laughter could fill any room. He was a student at Brownsville Preparatory Institute, and “had a way of making every moment feel like everything is wonderful.”
“Kane’s light, though brief on this earth, was immeasurable. His joy, kindness, and laughter will forever echo in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”
Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee man charged in accidental shooting death of son