A heart-wrenching incident occurred in Lafayette, Indiana, where a five-year-old boy tragically shot and killed his 18-month-old little brother. Authorities recently charged their parents, Shatia Welch, 24, and Deonta Johnson, 27, with neglect and drug offenses, shedding light on a distressing case that highlights a rare yet persistent trend in the United States.
The Lafayette Police Department, in a news release, confirmed the arrest of Welch and Johnson in connection with the incident that unfolded on March 28. The police, respecting the privacy of the minor, withheld the name of the five-year-old shooter. This unfortunate incident is a somber reminder of the dangerous consequences that can arise when firearms end up in the hands of children. Alarming data from a recent academic review indicate that such incidents occur dozens of times annually.
The charges against the parents, as revealed in unsealed court records, include neglect of a dependent resulting in death, along with multiple neglect and drug-related offenses. Additionally, Johnson faces an obstruction of justice charge. Police investigators, according to a probable-cause affidavit obtained by NBC News affiliate station WTHR, stated that the younger boy found the handgun within their apartment, leading to the devastating outcome.
Court documents analyzed by Law & Crime revealed that initially, Johnson repeatedly denied the presence of a firearm within the apartment, but later admitted that Welch owned a weapon. Welch informed the police that she securely stored her gun in a lockbox beneath the bed, although the missing second set of keys created a complication, as per the account presented by prosecutors to WTHR. However, a subsequent search of the premises yielded an unsecured firearm in a dresser drawer, in addition to the gun located in the safe under the bed, as reported by Law & Crime.
Further investigation uncovered the presence of 93 fentanyl pills, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in the apartment, underscoring the severity of the parents’ alleged drug-related offenses, according to prosecutors cited by NBC News. Disturbingly, both children were found to have drugs in their system during the autopsy. The 18-month-old victim tested positive for marijuana, while the five-year-old child had cocaine in his system.
Surveillance footage captured Johnson placing a bag in his car following the shooting incident, and later, marijuana was discovered inside the vehicle, reported a local news outlet. Both Welch and Johnson appeared in court recently, and their trials have been scheduled for later this year.
This tragic event in Lafayette serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can stem from firearm mishandling, especially in the presence of young children. As the public grapples with the heartbreaking loss of an innocent life, it is crucial to maintain a collective focus on responsible gun ownership and the safety of our most vulnerable.
Author: Ryan Scott
Just a guy