A gun owner has been arrested after a 10-year-old child used her gun to accidentally kill his 12-year-old brother.
The unidentified woman is said to be the 36-year-old owner of the firearm that killed 12-year-old Lafrance Johnson in the Walnut Park West neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. Authorities say that the middle-schooler was fatally shot in the face by his 10-year-old brother, who was playing with an unsecured shotgun Tuesday night just before 8:00 p.m.
His aunt Arthurine Harris spoke highly of her late nephew, saying he had “star quality” and was extremely talented and creative.
“He was very charismatic, a natural-born leader,” Harris shared. LaFrance enjoyed writing and illustrating books. Family members proudly displayed his artwork on their walls to encourage his creativity.
Johnson’s death comes just after two St. Louis cousins aged 12 and 14 were toying around with a gun on Instagram Live when it suddenly went off, striking both cousins. St. Louis officials began pushing a widespread free gun lock program following the deaths. Gun owners can receive free gun locks at participating fire engine houses, library branches, and police stations.
The 36-year-old woman was charged with endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death after police learned she had not adequately secured the weapon.
