Kentucky man charged in accidental shooting death of 3-year-old By By Brett Wilkins Feb 11, 2013 in Crime Paducah - A Kentucky man has been charged with manslaughter after he allegedly killed his girlfriend's 3-year-old son in an accidental shooting. Officers responding to a call about the incident reportedly found Braydion lying on his back with a single gunshot wound. The child was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was pronounced dead at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Kathy-Marie Lopez, the slain toddler's grandmother, "The gun was bought to protect those children due to the area deteriorating where they lived," Lopez said. "He (Barbee) stepped up to the plate and took over." Lopez described Braydion as "always smiling, always happy" and "the best child you would ever want to have and the best grandchild." She also said that Barbee was a great guy who was "hurting" and "sorry" about killing the boy. Numerous children across the US have died in accidental shootings in recent weeks. Among the latest reported incidents: On February 2, 13-year-old On February 1, On January 23, 4-year-old WBTV reports that 3-year-old Braydion Scott Matlock was shot and killed late Saturday afternoon at his family home on North 12th Street in Paducah. According to police, Matlock was shot by his mother's boyfriend, 21-year-old Nicholas D. Barbee of Paducah. Barbee, who allegedly confessed to accidentally shooting the boy, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter.Officers responding to a call about the incident reportedly found Braydion lying on his back with a single gunshot wound. The child was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was pronounced dead at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.Kathy-Marie Lopez, the slain toddler's grandmother, told WPSD that Barbee recently purchased a gun in response to increasing break-ins in his neighborhood."The gun was bought to protect those children due to the area deteriorating where they lived," Lopez said. "He (Barbee) stepped up to the plate and took over."Lopez described Braydion as "always smiling, always happy" and "the best child you would ever want to have and the best grandchild." She also said that Barbee was a great guy who was "hurting" and "sorry" about killing the boy.Numerous children across the US have died in accidental shootings in recent weeks. Among the latest reported incidents:On February 2, 13-year-old Paige McGinnis of Ovid Township, Michigan died after her 14-year-old brother accidentally shot her in the head with a shotgun.On February 1, Tmorej Smith , 3, of Greenville, South Carolina killed himself with a pink handgun he found in his family home.On January 23, 4-year-old Jamarcus Allen of Akron, Ohio was accidentally shot and killed while riding in a car with his father, who has been charged with manslaughter. More about Braydion Scott Matlock, Nicholas D Barbee, gun deaths, accidental shooting death More news from Braydion Scott Matlo... Nicholas D Barbee gun deaths accidental shooting ...