Authorities are investigating after a tragic incident in St. Louis, Missouri, where a 10-year-old boy shot and killed a baby, according to KSDK reports.
In a heartbreaking accident, a young boy in Missouri discovered a firearm beneath a mattress, resulting in the fatal shooting of a 7-month-old baby. The tragic event has led to murder charges being filed against both the child and the baby’s father.
Ca’Marion Pawnell, aged 19, now faces charges of second-degree murder and first-degree child endangerment, which resulted in death. Additionally, he is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child due to creating a substantial risk. Meanwhile, the 10-year-old, identified as the alleged shooter, is charged with first-degree murder in juvenile court.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers swiftly responded to the scene just after 4 p.m. on Friday. Arriving at a home located in the 8400 block of N. Broadway, they discovered baby Kiyomi Parker suffering a critical gunshot wound.
With time being of the essence, officers quickly decided not to wait for an ambulance. They transported Kiyomi in their patrol car to the hospital, where tragically, she was later pronounced dead by medical personnel.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by local NBC affiliate KSDK, the boy knew that Pawnell had a gun under the mattress in a bedroom and had taken it out to play with before. On this occasion, the boy allegedly pulled out the gun and shot Kiyomi in the head. Police did not divulge the relationship between the boy and Kiyomi.
In an interview with detectives, Pawnell admitted that he owned the gun and that he stored it under the bed, the affidavit reportedly said.
Police said a 7-year-old also was inside the home at the time of the shooting.
Cops did not name the shooter since he was charged as a juvenile. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that under Missouri law, only juveniles over the age of 12 can stand trial as adults. He was taken into custody after the shooting.
Homicide and child abuse detectives are conducting a joint investigation.
Pawnell was arrested and taken to the St. Louis City Justice Center. His next court date is not yet listed.