Four-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Shot Herself Dead with Loaded Gun Left Out
( Image: Fox5)
Damarkis Perdue, the father of four-year-old Kamaiyah Perdue, has been charged with second-degree murder after his daughter accidentally killed herself with a loaded gun left unattended in their East Point, Georgia, home. Perdue faces multiple charges, including second-degree cruelty to children and tampering with evidence, and is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
According to East Point police, the tragic incident occurred on December 29 at the Martel Apartment Homes. Officers responded to reports of a gunshot wound and found Kamaiyah critically injured. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
According to CBS affiliate WANF, Authorities allege that the firearm was left unsecured and easily accessible, leading to the fatal incident. In a statement, the East Point Police Department emphasized the importance of securing weapons, saying, “We stress the importance of securing weapons within your residence.”
This heartbreaking case comes amid another tragic incident involving a child and an unsecured firearm. In Lakeland, Florida, six-year-old Major Smith accidentally shot himself after finding a Glock 19X in a rental car belonging to his older brother, Myron Smith Jr.
According to Stephanie Kerr, a spokeswoman for Lakeland Police, the incident occurred on a Sunday afternoon. Myron Jr. had briefly used the rental vehicle, a gray Nissan Altima, before leaving the firearm between the driver’s seat and center console. When Major gained access to the car while his father, Myron Sr., was making a phone call, he accidentally discharged the weapon, resulting in a fatal head injury.
Myron Sr. rushed to the car upon hearing the gunshot and found Major bleeding from the head. Myron Jr. transported Major to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he was treated for life-threatening injuries. The boy’s grandmother, Cynthia Rodriguez, later described Major as “a loving son and big brother to his twin sisters.”
Rodriguez launched a fundraiser to cover funeral and hospital expenses, describing Major as a joyful child with special needs who “brought light and love to everyone who knew him.” By Thursday afternoon, the family had raised half of their $5,000 goal.
The Lakeland Police Department has not filed charges in this case, and the investigation remains ongoing. Detective Neal Robertson is seeking additional information and can be contacted at [email protected].
Both incidents highlight the devastating consequences of unsecured firearms, underscoring the urgent need for responsible gun storage to protect children from preventable tragedies.
