2-Year-Old in Critical Condition After Being Shot in the Head on Inside Home in Walker County

Christmas morning in Walker County, Georgia, unfolded not with celebration but with emergency sirens and urgent medical intervention after a 2-year-old child was shot in the head inside a home in Rock Spring. The incident, which occurred shortly before 10 a.m. on Tarvin Road, drew an immediate response from local deputies and emergency medical personnel and has since prompted a multi-agency investigation. As families across the region marked the holiday, first responders were instead confronted with one of the most difficult calls imaginable, involving a critically injured child on a day traditionally associated with joy and togetherness.

According to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, deputies were dispatched to the residence at approximately 9:50 a.m. after receiving reports of a shooting. When law enforcement officers and EMS arrived, they found the toddler suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The child was rushed from the scene to T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga, where surgeons immediately began operating. Authorities later confirmed that the child remained hospitalized and was expected to survive, though the injuries were serious and required intensive medical care.

Investigators have stated that the child’s father and an infant sibling were inside the home at the time of the shooting. Sheriff Wilson indicated that the father was tending to the infant when the incident occurred, though the exact circumstances leading up to the shooting have not yet been clarified. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist, and the Walker County Department of Family and Children’s Services is also involved, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough review of all factors surrounding the incident.

Details of the Christmas Morning Shooting and Ongoing Investigation

The shooting took place inside a private residence in Rock Spring, a community in Walker County near the Tennessee border. While authorities have released limited information, they have confirmed that the call for service came in just before 10 a.m., a time when many households were opening gifts or preparing for holiday meals. Instead, deputies and emergency crews encountered a scene requiring immediate life-saving action.

Sheriff Wilson confirmed that deputies and EMS acted quickly to stabilize the child and transport them to the hospital. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation later released a statement confirming its involvement at the request of the Walker County Sheriff’s Office. According to the GBI, responders “immediately took the child to the hospital,” underscoring the urgency of the situation.

At this stage, investigators have not publicly disclosed how the firearm was discharged or who may have been responsible. No arrests or charges have been announced, and authorities have emphasized that the investigation remains active. The presence of both the GBI and the Department of Family and Children’s Services suggests that officials are examining not only the immediate facts of the shooting but also the broader circumstances within the home.

Here’s our statement on the recent shooting involving a 2-year-old in Walker County, GA.

🔗: https://t.co/F5OINo7BYb pic.twitter.com/jnfy27xvUk

— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) December 26, 2025

Sheriff Wilson acknowledged the emotional weight of the incident in a statement, noting that tragedies involving children are deeply felt by both the community and those tasked with responding. He remarked that while any injury or death of a child is devastating, the fact that this occurred on Christmas morning magnified the impact for everyone involved.

As of the latest updates, the toddler remains hospitalized. The GBI has indicated that the child is expected to survive, though the long-term effects of the injury have not been publicly discussed. Authorities have asked for patience as they work to determine the sequence of events and whether any criminal charges or additional actions will follow.

The Impact on First Responders Answering Calls on Christmas Day

For first responders, calls involving injured children are among the most challenging they face, regardless of the date. When those calls occur on a major holiday, the emotional toll can be significantly heightened. Mike Garren, public information officer for Hamilton County EMS, addressed this reality in comments made after news of the Rock Spring shooting became public.

“Those calls are never easy, especially with children,” Garren said. “It just magnifies the emotions on the holidays. The crews that work that type of call will never forget this day, that it happened on Christmas Day.” Emergency personnel are trained to remain focused and professional in high-stress situations, but Garren noted that the emotional impact does not simply end when the call is complete. Many responders carry memories of particularly difficult calls for years, and incidents involving serious injury or death during holidays often stand out more vividly.

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Garren, who has spent nearly four decades in emergency services, explained that working on Christmas and other holidays is a reality of the profession. Police officers, firefighters, dispatchers, EMS crews, and hospital staff continue to work because emergencies do not pause for celebrations. “Disasters and crime do not take holidays off,” he said. “It is just another day of service for us.”

That service frequently requires personal and family sacrifices. Garren described how first responders and their families adapt over time, adjusting holiday traditions to accommodate work schedules. He explained that celebrations may take place on Christmas Eve or the day after, and that children in first responder families grow up understanding that holidays may look different. While these adjustments become routine, incidents like the Rock Spring shooting can still weigh heavily on those involved.

Despite the challenges, Garren emphasized the importance of support among first responders. Crews often rely on each other, sharing meals at stations when possible and leaning on the camaraderie built through years of working together. This sense of shared purpose helps them continue responding effectively, even on days marked by personal and professional strain.

Community Response and the Broader Context of Holiday Emergencies

The Rock Spring shooting has drawn attention not only because of the victim’s age but also because it occurred on Christmas morning, a time when many assume emergencies are less likely. In reality, holidays can bring unique risks and pressures, and emergency services remain fully operational to respond to incidents ranging from accidents to violent crime.

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Community members across Walker County and the surrounding region have expressed concern for the injured child and gratitude for the rapid response of deputies, EMS, and hospital staff. While investigators have urged the public to avoid speculation as the case unfolds, the incident has nonetheless highlighted the critical role of emergency services and child protection agencies in responding to and investigating such events.

The involvement of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation ensures an independent and comprehensive examination of the shooting. GBI agents are working alongside local deputies to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the events leading up to the child’s injury. At the same time, the Department of Family and Children’s Services is tasked with assessing the welfare of the children involved, a standard procedure in cases involving serious harm to minors.

Holiday incidents like this one also underscore the broader challenges faced by first responders during festive periods. Increased travel, gatherings, and changes in routine can contribute to a range of emergencies, from traffic accidents to domestic incidents. For emergency personnel, the expectation is constant readiness, regardless of the date on the calendar.

Garren offered a message to families spending Christmas at home, emphasizing awareness of the presence and role of emergency services. He encouraged people to value time with loved ones while recognizing that crews remain on duty to respond when needed. He also noted the importance of community support, which can take many forms, from expressions of gratitude to cooperation during emergencies.

As the investigation into the Rock Spring shooting continues, authorities have stated that additional details will be released when appropriate. For now, the focus remains on the child’s recovery, the thorough examination of the incident, and the continued work of first responders and investigators who answered the call on Christmas morning in Walker County.