Tragedy in Georgia: 13-Year-Old Fatally Shoots 8-Year-Old Cousin at Grandmother’s Home in Bainbridge
BAINBRIDGE, GA — A quiet Georgia community is in mourning following a devastating incident that claimed the life of 8-year-old Kylen Powell, who was fatally shot by his 13-year-old cousin while the two were staying at their grandmother’s house in Bainbridge late Friday night.
According to DeWitt Phillip, deputy coroner of Decatur County, the tragic shooting occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025. Authorities say the young boys were at the grandmother’s home when the 13-year-old shot Kylen in the face. Emergency responders arrived shortly after, but Kylen Powell was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident has shocked the Bainbridge community and left family members reeling as investigators work to determine how such a horrific event could have occurred. At this time, officials have not released details about how the 13-year-old obtained the firearm, nor whether the shooting was accidental or intentional. That distinction will be critical in determining any potential criminal charges.
The case has been handed over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), which is leading a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Kylen’s death. As of now, no charges have been filed, and the name of the 13-year-old has not been released due to his age.
Community Grief and Unanswered Questions
The shooting has left neighbors, classmates, and friends in deep grief. Kylen Powell is being remembered as a joyful, energetic young boy who loved playing outside, making people laugh, and spending time with his family. Photos shared by loved ones show a bright-eyed child whose life was cut tragically short.
“This is every family’s nightmare,” said a Bainbridge resident who knew the family. “It’s heartbreaking. You send your children to spend time with their cousins, never expecting something like this to happen.”
Family members have not spoken publicly, but a makeshift memorial with flowers, stuffed animals, and balloons has begun to grow outside the home where the shooting occurred. The grandmother, reportedly inside the house at the time of the incident, is said to be devastated by the loss and the involvement of both her grandsons.
The shooting has also reignited concerns over gun access and firearm safety, especially in homes where children are present. While investigators have yet to confirm where the gun came from or how it ended up in the hands of the 13-year-old, many are calling for stronger education around gun storage and responsibility.
A Long Road Ahead
With so many questions still unanswered, the Powell family and the wider Bainbridge community are left grappling with grief, uncertainty, and fear. The 13-year-old cousin, whose life is also forever changed, remains under scrutiny as authorities determine whether criminal charges will be pursued.
The GBI has stated that a thorough investigation is underway and that updates will be provided as more information becomes available. In the meantime, they are urging anyone with knowledge related to the case to come forward.
If you have any information about the incident, please contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-597-TIPS or visit gbi.georgia.gov to submit an anonymous tip.
As the investigation continues, Bainbridge grieves the loss of a child — and a family forever scarred by one tragic moment.