Washington, D.C. officials have officially charged two people in connection to a Monday (Dec. 16) incident that left a young girl hospitalized. Police say it all started when a mother left her two children at home with a family friend and an older sibling.
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According to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, officers responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 6:30 p.m. When they arrived to the Southwest D.C. apartment unit, they found a 5-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper body.
Officers quickly rendered aid to her, but she was taken to the hospital in serious condition. The child, who has not been publicly named, remains in critical condition, according to a Tuesday (Dec. 17) press release.
Chief Smith said the 5-year-old and her 3-year-old brother were in the house playing with an unsecured gun. The two children were left in the care of a long-time friend, who was identified as 59-year-old Darrell Graham. He was arrested by officers on the scene and charged with First Degree Cruelty to Children, according to Smith.
Police also arrested and charged 21-year-old D’Jaunae McCrory Jackson, who is believed to be the victim’s sister, with First Degree Cruelty to Children. Jackson’s charges multiplied after she reportedly assaulted Metropolitan Police Officers and special police officers responding to the shooting, according to PEOPLE.
Investigators also secured a search warrant, and in the house, officers found ammunition and the “ghost gun” used in the shooting. Court documents show the gun was found on a TV stand in Jackson’s bedroom. The weapon was easily accessible and completely unsecured, according to WUSA 9 News.
In full, Jackson is charged with assault on a police officer, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, prohibited possession of certain dangerous weapons, criminally negligent storage of a firearm, possession of unregistered firearm/unlawful possession of a firearm or destructive device, and possession of unregistered ammunition, according to WUSA 9 News.
“What I want to emphasize tonight is that this incident really highlights the danger of unsecured firearms in homes and especially around children,” said the Chief said during the press conference. “We want to emphasize the importance of firearm safety and we are asking everyone to keep our young female victim in your prayers at this time.”
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