2-year old Louisiana girl and father shot and killed by 17-year old boy

2-year old Makayla Middleton (source)

A 17-year old boy, Jacob Middleton, Jr. shot entered his father's home and shot both his father, Jacob Middleton, Sr., and his 2-year old half-sister, Makayla Middleton, in the head, killing them both.  The bodies were later discovered by the girl's mother.

The teen later admitted the killing, stating as his motivation years of abuse by the father.

From an article:

The 17-year-old son of a man who was found shot to death Monday at a home near Abita Springs is being held in the St. Tammany Parish jail on two counts of first-degree murder, and has not been granted bond, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain's office said Tuesday.

Jacob Middleton Jr., of 1601 Haring Road in Metairie, is accused of fatally shooting his father, Jacob Middleton Sr., 35, and his 2-year-old half-sister, Makayla Middleton. ...

Shooter Jacob Middleton, Jr., age 17 (source)

The younger Middleton admitted to shooting his dad and half-sister, when questioned by investigators early Tuesday, Strain said in a press release. Strain would not say whether investigators found a weapon at the crime scene.

Jacob Middleton Jr. "indicated that his actions were the result of, among other things, his hatred of his father for what he claimed was years of abuse and family violence," Strain said.
St. Tammany Parish court records show Jacob Middleton Jr.'s parents divorced in 2011.

In 2010, a 22nd Judicial District Court judge granted Middleton's mother a protective order that prevented Jacob Middleton Sr. from going within 100 yards of her home, court records show. In her petition requesting a protective order, Middleton's ex-wife claimed he slapped, choked, shoved and threatened her with bodily harm and with a weapon.

Strain said Monday that deputies been called to the Carnation Street home in the past for domestic violence and mental health issues.

The article did not state how the teen got the gun and ammo.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

2 year old Louisiana boy and his father found shot in their home

Another two year old boy has been shot. In this case, his father was also found dead in what appears to be a homicide. From an article:

A father and his 2-year-old child were found shot to death Monday morning at a home in the small town of Abita Springs, officials say. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office tweeted Tuesday morning that an arrest has been made in connection to the double murder.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office began investigating the case after the mother of the child found the two in their home located on Carnation Street in the Abita Nursery subdivision.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office says they are investigating this as a double homicide, but they're waiting on the autopsy results to determine the official manner of death.

Sheriff Jack Strain said the two were killed by "close-range gunfire."

There had been domestic issues in the home as well as reported by law enforcement.

17-year old Louisiana boy shoots and kills mother

A 17-year old boy in Walker, Louisiana, shot and killed his mother, 34-year-old Tamila Wooley.

For two days he returned to the home to care for his siblings as the body lay in the bedroom.

From an article:

Police in Louisiana say a 17-year-old boy shot and killed his mother and returned home several times over the next two days to feed two younger half-siblings, telling them their mother was ill and not to disturb her. 

Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says a family acquaintance found the body of 34-year-old Tamila Wooley on Wednesday in her bedroom in a gated community. 

He says the teen was stopped early Thursday in his mother's Lexus and told investigators he shot her late Sunday or early Monday. 

Sharp says the teen was booked on a second-degree murder charge. 

The Associated Press generally does not name juveniles who are accused of crimes. 

Sharp says the younger children, ages 2 and 11, were placed in state custody until out-of-state relatives could arrive.

The article doesn't say how the boy got the gun and ammo.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

7 month old New Orleans baby shot while sitting in car

A 7 month old baby was sitting in a car seat when an "ambush" resulted in the shooting death of the baby and his father in New Orleans. From an article:

A man and a 7-month-old boy were fatally shot in an apparent ambush on a New Orleans bridge.

Someone opened fire on the 25-year-old man Wednesday night as he rode in the back seat of a black Honda Accord on the Crescent City Connection bridge, police spokesman Frank B. Robertson III told The Associated Press.

The boy was in a car seat beside the man, Robertson said. He says a woman who was driving and another woman who was a front-seat passenger were not hurt.

13-month old New Orleans girl shot to death

Londyn Samuels, age 13 months (source)

13-month old Londyn Samuels was returning from a trip to the park with her nanny, Keelan Armstrong, 18, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

That's when a gunman opened fire on them, shooting twice.  One of the rounds went through Armstrong's back and hit Londyn, in her arms, in the chest.  

Armstrong is recovering.  Londyn died soon after the incident.  She was just learning to walk.

The gunman escaped.

From an article:

Londyn Samuels, who was just learning to walk, was struck by a bullet fired into her 18-year-old nanny's back as she carried the toddler home from the park. 

"What kind of a man would shoot at a woman holding a child?" Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas said Friday as he pleaded for witnesses to the Thursday night slaying to come forward. "That's not the kind of person you want to protect." 

Two shots were fired and one of them tore through the sitter's torso, hitting Londyn in the chest. The young woman, who was expected to survive, called the child's father in anguish. 

Londyn's mother was working at a non-profit cafe dedicated to anti-violence when the shooting happened. She said at a news conference that she breaks down in tears every time she looks at a picture of her daughter. 

"I'm hurt," Andrea Samuels, 22, said as she choked back sobs. "Because that was my baby." 

Police said two men were seen running from the scene after the shooting and they released grainy surveillance photos. They did not provide a motive for the shooting, but said there was no gunfight and the two victims were not caught in any crossfire. 

...

[Londyn's father] Reed said the death of the little girl who loved Minnie Mouse and was always smiling had left a hole in his heart. 

"She just loved being around me and her mama. She was our world, you know? She was the highlight of every day," he said. 

"She was always happy. When I was down, she would crawl in the bed with me and say, 'Dada,' and hit me in the face to make me smile." 

As he mourned, he vented his anger toward the gunman. 

"My daughter didn't do anything to him," he said. "Why did she have to die?" 

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8 year old Louisiana boy kills 90 year old caregiver

This case is almost too tragic. An 8 year old boy apparently intentionally shot his 90 year old caregiver:

Louisiana law enforcement officials say an 8-year-old boy intentionally shot and killed his elderly caregiver Thursday evening after playing the video game "Grand Theft Auto."

According to WAFB-TV, the shooting, which the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office has called a homicide, took place in a mobile home park near Slaughter, La. The woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was reportedly found with a gunshot wound to the head. It is believed that the 8-year-old shot her while she was in the living room watching television.

"Although a motive for the shooting is unknown at this time, investigators have learned that the juvenile suspect was playing a video game on the Play Station III "Grand Theft Auto IV", a realistic game that has been associated with encouraging violence and awards points to players for killing people, just minutes before the homicide occurred," a statement issued by the Sheriff's Office said.

As Fox News notes, "Grand Theft Auto" is rated "M" for mature audiences and recommended for teens and adults aged 17 and older.

The woman, who has been identified as Marie Smothers, has been described as the "current caregiver" of the boy. It is, however, still unclear what her relationship was with the child. There is also conflicting information as to Smothers' age, with some news outlets identifying her as an 87-year-old woman and others indicating that she was 90.

The boy, whose identity has not been made known, has reportedly been released into the custody of his parents. According to the Advocate, the boy will likely not be charged with the crime because of his age, as dictated by Louisiana law.

Though the 8-year-old initially told investigators that the shooting was an accident, police say they believe the boy intentionally shot Smothers. But Law enforcement officials also said the child is believed to have had a "normal, loving, relationship" with the victim.

The gun used in the shooting is thought to have belonged to Smothers, according to the Advocate.

Experts have long debated -- and are still divided on -- the matter of whether or not violent video games, TV shows and movies trigger aggressive behavior in young people.

In April, a study published in the journal Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice claimed to show a link between violent video games and youth violence. That same month, however, an associate professor at Villanova University wrote that research had not found a "clear link between playing violent video games and real world violence."

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

15 year old Louisiana boy shot at home on first day of school

A 15 year old Louisiana boy didn't go to school on the first day. He was shot while at home with a sibling and friends:

A 15-year-old Opelousas teenager has been declared clinically brain dead after a shooting incident on Friday, the first day of school.

Opelousas Police Chief Perry Gallow said the teenager didn’t go to school that day, but instead was playing with his brother and two other young men.

Exactly what happened is still unknown, but Gallow said it appears the young men had somehow acquired a handgun and were playing with it.

For reasons still under investigation, the gun discharged, striking the victim in the head.

He said police were called to the boy’s home at 2:31 p.m. Because of the age of the victim, he declined to identify the child.

“While he didn’t go to school, his friends said he was excited about school. He had just gotten a new pair of shoes,” Gallow said.

He said no charges have been files at this time but “charges will be forthcoming.”

Police first need to determine how the young men got the gun and exactly what happened.

“We are still trying to determine how the weapon discharged and for what reasons,” Gallow said.

In the meantime, he said parents need take better care of their weapons.

“This is a tragedy for all the families involved,” Gallow said.

“This is a consequence of playing with guns and not understanding what can happen if they discharge,” Gallow said. “The effects are permanent. This child’s life is gone.”

He said guns should never be in hands of inexperienced people, especially juveniles.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Louisiana 3 year old child dies after being shot by 5 year old in home

Another toddler has died from a bullet shot by a gun held by a 5 year old Louisiana child. From an article:

The three-year-old boy shot in his south Monroe home this week has died. Now, obstruction of justice charges related to Thursday's shooting on Dixie Avenue are pending.

Police say the mother of the toddler called police after hearing a gunshot and finding the little boy had been shot. She told police that another child, 5-years-old, was playing with a loaded gun when it went off.

Police questioned several adults at the scene and believe they received statements that are not true.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

5-year old New Orleans girl finds mother's gun under pillow and shoots herself to death

A 5-year old girl, Brandajah Smith, was left alone in her home as her mother left to talk to neighbors.  Thats when the little girl found a loaded, unsecured handgun that her mother left under a pillow, which belonged to the mother's felon boyfriend.

Brandajah Smith, age 5

Brandajah discharged the weapon, hitting herself and dying a few hours later.

From an article:

Laderika Smith, 28, faces a charge of second-degree murder, while Leon Warren, 54, was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. 

The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/12qst4k ) Smith's daughter, Brandajah Smith, shot herself with a .38-caliber handgun on June 23. The little girl found the revolver, which Smith told police was often stashed under a pillow in the bedroom. Smith had locked the child in the house and walked down the street to speak with neighbors. When she returned, she found her daughter who lived for a few hours on life support before succumbing to the injury. 

Police later tested the little girls' hands for gunpowder residue and determined she had pulled the trigger. They said Smith knew the gun was there when she left her in the house alone. 

Hours after the shooting, Warren — who was described as a cousin — admitted keeping the gun, saying he was holding it for a friend, police said.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Two 16-year old Louisiana boys shot over drugs

A drug deal between on 16-year old boy in Metairie, Louisiana, and two other 16-year old boys, went bad.  The first boy shot one of the others, injuring him, then the third boy shot him back with the same gun, killing the first.

From an article:

Dondrell Cage Jr., 16, of New Orleans, died Wednesday evening at the hospital. He had been shot Tuesday afternoon in a gun battle in the 2200 block of Giuffrias street, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. 

Cage shot a 16-year-old Bobby Bruer in a dispute over drugs, and then a third 16-year-old shot Cage with the same gun. 

Deputies said the teens had argued over drugs Monday night, and the feud continued into Tuesday morning, one of the two boys shot the other teen, then a cousin of the boy who was wounded, grabbed the gun and fired at the teen who shot his cousin. 

Dondrell Cage had faced numerous charges, the sheriff's office said, including for attempted second degree murder, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

16 year old Louisiana boy shot by friend with assault rifle

A 16 year old Louisiana boy was shot and killed when a "friend" was showing him his new semi-automatic rifle that he thought was unloaded  From an article:

A 16-year-old was shot and killed when a friend was showing a group of people a semi-automatic rifle he believed to be unloaded, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said.

The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the 2000 block of James Drive in Marrero and left the mother of the shooting victim seeking answers to several questions.

According to the sheriff's office, 23-year-old Chris Cardon of Gretna told investigators that he and 16-year-old Trey Stahl were inside the home along with four other people and that he was showing the group a recently-purchased AR-15.

A sheriff's office spokesman said Cardon told them that he didn't know there was a round in the chamber and that he pulled the trigger to clear the weapon and it went off, striking the Stahl in the neck.

Emergency responders found Stahl lying on the kitchen floor. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Cardon was booked on one count of negligent homicide.

"I don't think it's really hit me yet," said Shannon Guidry, Stahl's mother. "That was my baby."

Guidry said she received the call that no mother wants to get, but what upsets her even more were the circumstances surrounding the shooting - at least what she knows of them.

Guidry said she found a picture of Stahl holding a semi-automatic weapon posted on his Facebook page last night. She thinks it may be the gun that ended up producing the fatal shot.

"I want to know what adult in his right mind gives a child a gun to hold?" she asked.

Guidry is concerned because she says someone is deleting photos from her son's Facebook page. She says she wants to know why someone handled a loaded gun around her young son.

"It could have been avoided totally," she said. "You don't have to go over there with no gun. You didn't have to let my child put his hand on no gun."

New Orleans 5 year old left alone in house shoots herself

Another young child has shot herself with a loaded gun left in the home. From an article:

A 5-year-old girl left home alone in New Orleans while her mother went to the store fatally shot herself in the head, police said Sunday.

The child's mother, Laderika Smith — who turned 28 on Sunday, according to the jail website — was booked on a charge of cruelty to a juvenile for leaving her alone.

Officers were called to her North Galvez St. home shortly before 11 a.m. and found the little girl had "accidentally shot herself in the head," police said in a statement.

Smith told investigators she locked her daughter in the home while she went to the store and when she returned, found her on the bedroom floor, police said. She admitted to having a .38 caliber revolver, which police found at the scene, they said.

The child, whose name was not released, was on life support for several hours before being pronounced dead. The district attorney will decide whether to press additional charges against Smith after an autopsy, police said.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

3-year old New Orleans boy unintentionally shot in hand by adult

37-year old Terrance Robinson said he was sitting on his porch in New Orleans, Louisiana, when he was playing with a loaded handgun he said he had found in his neighborhood.

That's when a 3-year old boy, the son of a friend of his, came up and tugged on the gun, according to Robinson, which led to a discharge of the gun, hitting the boy in the hand.

Robinson is a convicted felon.

From an article:

In a Saturday news release, the NOPD said Robinson confessed to the accidental shooting at his home in the 6000 block of Kuebel Drive in eastern New Orleans. 

Robinson said he had been sitting on his front porch and playing with the loaded pistol, which he said he found in the neighborhood.  

The boy, the son of friends of Robinson's, pulled at the pistol, which caused the gun to go off and strike the child in his right hand, police said. The toddler's parents, who were inside the house, ran outside after hearing the shot. They then took their son to the hospital.  

Police were notified at about 6 p.m. that the boy had a gunshot wound to his hand. 

When officers arrived at the Kuebel Drive address 30 minutes after the shooting, Robinson was still in possession of the gun, police said. 

While his wound is not life-threatening, the boy remained at the hospital on Saturday, according to the NOPD release.

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2 year old Louisiana boy shot and killed by 18 year old brother

A two year old Baton Rouge, Louisiana toddler was shot and killed by his 18 year old brother who was playing with his gun:

BR toddler dies after accidental shooting

BY JIM MUSTIAN

Advocate staff writer

January 24, 2013

72 COMMENTS

A Baton Rouge man who authorities said was playing with a gun was booked with negligent homicide Tuesday in the accidental shooting death of his 2-year-old brother.

Terrance J. Varise, 18, 5108 Jean St., was playing with a .357-caliber handgun at 6:30 p.m. Monday when his younger brother Travin Varise walked into the room and was struck in the chest, police and family members said.

The boy was rushed to a hospital where he died Tuesday morning, police spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said.

Terrance Varise admitted to detectives “that he was carelessly playing with the gun when it accidentally discharged,” according to an affidavit of probable cause.

“He had it in his hand, cocking it back and forth,” McKneely said, adding Terrance Varise had been upset about the shooting.

“The entire family was upset,” McKneely said. “They know it’s an accident. It wasn’t intentional.”

Terrance Varise’s uncle Calvin Varise said he had just left the Jean Street home Monday evening when he learned of the shooting via text message.

Calvin Varise said the family had not kept a gun in the home, adding he believes Terrance Varise got the weapon from a friend.

He said the teen had armed himself due to “environmental pressure” from neighborhood friends, whom he described as “roustabouts.”

“They’re just floating and they have no anchor to hold them down,” Calvin Varise said. “We’ve lost two.”

Terrance Varise was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on counts of negligent homicide, cruelty to a juvenile and felon in possession of a firearm. He was being held Tuesday afternoon without bond, prison officials said.

Court records show Terrance Varise had been on probation for a 2011 simple burglary of a motor vehicle in Iberville Parish. He pleaded guilty to the charge in May and received two years probation and a suspended two-year prison term, the records show.

Terrance Varise indicated on his Facebook page that he had an affinity for “shooting games” and Grand Theft Auto IV, a popular video game. One photograph shows him with his eyes closed, holding a revolver at his side.

Where did this 18 year old "felon" get his gun? Easy access to guns by teens leads to senseless shootings.

14-year old New Orleans boy shot by stray bullet

A 14-year old boy was walking in New Orleans, Louisiana, when he heard an argument and gunshots.  He was hit by one of the bullets in the shoulder and taken to a hospital for treatment.

From an article:

The NOPD is investigating an eastern New Orleans shooting Wednesday that left a 14-year-old boy wounded. The boy was shot in the shoulder and was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, said officer Garry Flot, spokesman for the New Orleans Police Department. 

The teen told police he was walking near the intersection of Dinkins and Shubrick streetsabout 6:30 p.m. when he heard arguing and gunshots. He realized he was shot and ran to a nearby house where someone called the police, Flot said.

Bullets don't know when to stop.

16-year old Baton Rouge boy shot in leg

From an article, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana:

A sixteen-year-old was shot in the leg near Old Hammond Highway on Boulevard. 

Baton Rouge Police says the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. 

We will update the story as more information becomes available.

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16-year old Baton Rouge boy unintentionally shoots self in face

In July, a 16-year old boy unintentionally shot himself in the face, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

From an article:

He said a 16-year-old boy was either handling a gun or being handed by a gun by another person when it went off, hitting the teen in the face. 

A family member took him to a nearby hospital. Kelly said he had non-life threatening injuries, and they were continuing to investigate the matter.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

15-year old Louisiana boy injured, and 18-year old killed, in double shooting

18-year old Adonis Williams and a 15-year old boy were with other juveniles at a home in Marrero, Louisiana, near New Orleans.  Shots rang out.  Adonis was found dead with a pistol by his side.  The 15-year old was found wounded two blocks away.

From an article:

The shooting occurred just before 4 p.m. at 1141 King Drive in Marrero, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. Deputies arrived and found Williams lying near the front door of the home. He had been shot in the side and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The injured 15-year-old was found two blocks away at the intersection of King Drive and Howard Avenue, Fortunato said. He was taken to LSU Interim Hospital in New Orleans with non life-threatening injuries. The boy is from Westwego. 

It was not clear Friday whether Williams knew anyone at the King Drive address. 

Detectives found a small pistol lying next to him. Fortunato said they'll determine whether Williams fired the gun and if it has been reported stolen. 

Authorities had no suspects or a motive in the shooting Friday evening. But an unknown number of males were seen running from the scene after the shooting, Fortunato said.

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14-year old Louisiana boy brings loaded gun and knife to school

A 14-year old boy in Ponchatoula, Lousiana, was caught with a loaded gun and a knife at school.

From an article:

"A 14 year old male student was found in possession of a loaded handgun and knife," Ponchatoula Police Sgt. Mark Perrin said in a news release.  "The Ponchatoula Police Department arrived on scene at PJHS and took the juvenile into custody and took possession of the weapons." 

Perrin says school officials discovered the weapons. 

"The administration at PJHS informed officers that an anonymous tip led to the discovery of the weapons just after school let in this morning." 

The juvenile was booked into Florida Parish Juvenile Detention Center.

The article didn't say where he got the gun.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

8-year old Louisiana girl wounded in chest by mother; mother lies to police

An adult couple, Jennifer Duncan Mitchell, 31, and Henry Mitchell Sr., got into an argument in their home in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.  Jennifer armed herself with a .38-caliber handgun and apparently fired it unintentionally.  The round went through her husband's leg and grazed her 8-year old daughter's chest.

Initially, the Mitchells claimed their daughter found the gun and unintentionally injured herself.  Police later discovered the truth and arrested the couple.

From an article:

Jennifer Mitchell told authorities her 8-year-old daughter had taken a .38-caliber handgun from a nightstand and accidentally fired it, Bacala said. 

The girl’s chest was grazed by the bullet, and she was treated and released from the hospital.
While investigating the incident, deputies discovered Jennifer Mitchell made false statements to authorities and fabricated the story about her daughter finding the handgun, Bacala said. 

Instead, deputies now say the Mitchells had a heated argument during which Jennifer Mitchell armed herself with the handgun and accidentally fired it. The bullet penetrated Henry Mitchell’s leg and exited, striking the child, Bacala said. 

Jennifer Mitchell was booked on counts of aggravated battery, negligent injury, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and criminal mischief for allegedly filing a false police report. 

Henry Mitchell was booked on counts of simple assault, accessory after the fact to negligent injury, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and obstruction of justice. 

The Mitchells remain in the custody of the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office with no bail set, Bacala said. Their three children, including the 8-year-old who was wounded, were taken into the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, but were expected to be released into the custody of their grandmother, he said.

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