A 10-year-old boy shot and killed a 7-month-old baby girl in St. Louis after finding a firearm stored under her father's mattress, authorities said Friday.
Background
The shooting occurred just after 4 p.m. when officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a home in the 8400 block of North Broadway for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered baby Kiyomi Parker suffering from a catastrophic gunshot wound to her head.
With no time to wait for an ambulance, police placed the infant inside their patrol vehicle and rushed her to a hospital, where doctors later pronounced her dead.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by local NBC affiliate KSDK, the boy had previously observed that his father, Ca'Marion Pawnell, kept a firearm under the mattress in one of the home's bedrooms. The child had reportedly taken the gun out to play with on prior occasions. On this tragic day, investigators allege he retrieved the weapon and discharged it, striking Kiyomi in the head.
A 7-year-old child was also present inside the residence at the time of the shooting, police confirmed.
The Investigation
Homicide and child abuse detectives are conducting a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kiyomi's death. Police have not disclosed the exact relationship between the shooter and the infant victim.
Pawnell, 19, was taken into custody following the shooting. In interviews with detectives, he admitted to owning the firearm and acknowledged storing it beneath his bed, according to the affidavit.
The boy has been charged with first-degree murder in juvenile court. Under Missouri law, only juveniles aged 12 or older can be tried as adults, meaning the child will face proceedings through the juvenile justice system. His name has not been released due to his age.
Pawnell faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree child endangerment resulting in death, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child by creating substantial risk. He was transported to the St. Louis City Justice Center following his arrest. Court records did not immediately list his next scheduled appearance.
Key Takeaways
- Kiyomi Parker, just 7 months old, died after being shot in the head inside her family's St. Louis home Friday afternoon
- A 10-year-old boy allegedly fired the weapon after finding it under the father's mattress
- The boy's father, Ca'Marion Pawnell, 19, faces second-degree murder and child endangerment charges
- Police say Pawnell admitted to owning the gun and storing it unsafely beneath his bed
What's Next
Investigators continue processing the scene and gathering evidence. Pawnell remains in custody at the St. Louis City Justice Center without a scheduled court date as of late Friday. The child's death marks another devastating loss for a community grappling with gun violence, while raising urgent questions about responsible firearm storage in homes where children are present.
The Law&Crime Docket will continue monitoring this developing story.