Boy, 8, shot dead by cousin, 7
Pastor Dale Morgan
Boy, 8, shot dead by cousin, 7*
From correspondents in Boston
June 27, 2007 07:13am
Article from: Reuters
POLICE have questioned a seven-year-old boy who shot and killed his
eight-year-old cousin with an illegal gun, the latest example of the
toll of gun violence in US cities.
The family had told police three armed intruders burst into their home
and gunned down LaQuarrie Jefferson, 8, on Sunday night.
But after further interviews with family members, the truth emerged on
Monday as the boy died in a hospital.
The victim's mother, Lakeisha Gadson, 30, apologised for lying and said
the slaying was a tragic accident. She had briefly disappeared with the
7-year-old and police launched a city-wide search for the two.
The boy was the youngest murder victim in Boston since 2002, when a
three-year-old was killed in gang gunfire.
Police spokeswoman Sharon Dottin said the seven-year-old and Ms Gadson
were interviewed by police after voluntarily coming to police
headquarters but declined to say if charges would be pressed. The boy
can be charged as a juvenile.
LaQuarrie's father is a convicted killer who had served time for the
1997 stabbing death of a homeless man and is now in prison for a series
of 2004 armed robberies.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said the gun was illegal. No one in the home
was licensed to own a firearm.
Like Boston, many US cities are struggling to stem a wave of violent
crime and murder. Data released by the FBI this month showed more
murders and robberies in 2006 sent US violent crimes higher for a second
straight year.