A 10-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a 7 month-old girl was shot dead in Missouri, police say.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police found Kiyomi Parker with gunshot wounds when they were called to a home in St Louis just after 4 p.m. on June 26. The baby was rushed to a local hospital but later died from her injuries.
Witnesses at the scene claim that the 10 year-old boy picked up a gun and shot the girl, according to court records obtained by First Alert 4.
The boy is believed to be the youngest person to face a murder charge in the state’s history.
The victim’s 19-year-old father, Ca’Marion Pawnell, has also been charged in connection with the case, First Alert 4 reported.
Pawnell faces one count of second-degree felony murder, one count of endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk, according to documents seen by the outlet.
The teenager is said to have kept a gun underneath a mattress in a bedroom, and the younger boy knew where it was, per the documents.
In a statement after the shooting, St Louis Police said: “On June 26, 2026, just after 4 p.m., District 6 officers responded to the 8400 block of N. Broadway for a shooting. When officers arrived, they located 7-month-old Kiyomi Parker, who had been shot, inside the house.
“Officers immediately rushed the baby in their patrol SUV to an area hospital. Despite life-saving care from medical personnel and officers, the baby died from her injuries.
“Detectives learned during their preliminary investigation that a 10-year-old boy was responsible for shooting the baby and was taken into custody. Detectives are working with Juvenile Courts to determine next steps.”
Mitchell McCoy, St. Louis Metropolitan Police director of public affairs and information, later confirmed on X Juvenile Courts have issued a first-degree murder charge against the boy.
Missouri law states that children must be at least 12 years-old to be charged as an adult.
Precious Jones, an advocate whose own son died from gun violence, told KSDK: “This is such a sad and unfortunate incident to happen to a baby that didn’t even really begin to live life. These types of incidents can be prevented.”
