In Dallas, Texas, authorities say that they could file charges against the person who left a loaded firearm in an apartment, where an 11-year-old boy had managed to grab the firearm and accidentally fire it at an 8-year-old friend, killing him.
Dallas police say that the shooting occurred at approximately 3:45pm Thursday, in a 2nd-floor flat of the Spanish Point Apartments, located in the 4100 block of Harvest Hill Road, just off Midway Road near Interstate 635, in the northwest portion of the city. It happened when the 8-year-old boy was playing with a friend at his apartment. A total of four little boys were reportedly alone there.
According to Dallas police homicide Lieutenant David Pughes, charges are likely to be filed against anyone who might have placed this gun in a location where anyone, including little kids, can simply reach for it.
Authorities are still trying to figure out where the weapon came from, who the owner of the weapon is, and who else resides in the apartment.
The 11-year-old boy’s mother, who resides at the apartment and who was supposed to keep an eye on the boys, had somehow left them alone. Further, some sort of dispute had taken place between the boys.
Police say that the 11-year-old boy, whose name has not been disclosed, took the gun and fatally shot his 8-year-old friend, identified as Keiveon Johnson, who was also known by the nickname “Bubba.”
Following the shooting, two of the boys rushed toward another apartment and notified a man that the gunman was an intruder who wore a ski mask. After that, police were contacted.
Regarding the two other boys, one 9 and the other 6, who were inside the apartment during the incident, the 6-year-old had experienced only minor wounds after he was shot in the leg, whereas the 9-year-old was not harmed.
The 6-year-old boy received treatment for his wounds before he was released.
Alonzo Stewart, the father of the 6-year-old boy, declared that he takes the kids to school every morning, and that he should have taken him home. Sources say that Alonzo had taken his son, along with three other boys, home from school and allowed them to visit a neighbor’s apartment to play video games. He says he feels so heartbroken and guilty over the incident.
The three boys have been taken to Dallas Children's Advocacy Center for questioning.
Police say that after speaking with forensic interviewers, the children recanted the entire account regarding the masked gunman, saying that this was not true. The children finally acknowledged that they lied because they felt so terrified and that they did not want to get into any trouble.
Investigators have described two elements of the incident: a reachable weapon and the absence of adult supervision.
According to Deputy Chief Craig Miller, the shooting in this case was most likely accidental rather than deliberate. In other words, the boy had no intention whatsoever to slay his friend. Even so, there was a weapon, which did not appear accidentally.
Police say that it is now up to a Dallas County grand jury to decide if the 11-year-old should face criminal charges. Moreover, Child Protective Services may possibly take action over parental oversight at the apartment where the incident occurred.
Johnson was described as a lovable and kind person. Him and the other boys usually got together and played after school, according to sources.
No arrests have been made yet.
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