CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A community is grieving after a 2-year-old died on Sunday after falling into a swimming pool on July Fourth.
Wyatt Gordon fell into the pool on the Fourth of July and was rescued. Wyatt was rushed to the hospital. On July 6, his family said Wyatt had his second EEG at 8 p.m. The next day, Wyatt died days later from his injuries.
People from across the state have been donating money and sending kind words to the family. WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker spoke with Wyatt's uncle Michael Pendleton who was chocking back tears during the conversation.
"Wyatt was a bright eyed, very smart and outgoing 2-year-old," Pendleton shared. "He loved life and everybody. With his passing, he left a big hole in the community."
The First Methodist Church of Lawndale, which is where the Gordons attend, opened up Sunday morning sharing the tragic news.
“We have just received the news [that] little Wyatt Gordon has passed away," the pastor said during the service. "I don't know what else to say. We are going to God in prayer. You see the unfortunate circumstance in the fragility of our church. Lord, God, we are not sure of what to say or do. We ask you to comfort us in this time.”
Pendleton said his family is just trying to get by after the tragedy. Wyatt's parents, Anne Marie and Zach Gordon, have a 1-year-old daughter and are currently expecting their third child.
Pendleton started a GoFundMe with the goal is to raise $25,000 to help cover medical expenses and funeral costs.
Wyatt's dad is a firefighter in Waco, North Carolina, which is southwest of Cherryville. A the Waco Fire Department is hosting a BBQ Friday in Wyatt's honor. Charlotte Fire Department and the Fallston Community Volunteer Department are partnering with them to help put on the event.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.