Charges Filed Against 10-Year-Old in Infant’s Death

On June 26, a 10-year-old boy from Missouri was charged with murder after allegedly shooting a 7-month-old infant in the head in a tragic incident described as execution-style.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), officers arrived on the scene shortly after 4 p.m. and discovered the infant, identified as Kiyomi Parker, inside a home. Sadly, the baby succumbed to the injuries. Homicide and child abuse detectives began their investigation, reportedly finding that a 10-year-old boy had fired the fatal shot. Witnesses stated that the boy had taken out a gun and shot the infant, as detailed in court documents.

Officers transported Kiyomi in a patrol vehicle to a nearby hospital, where emergency assistance was administered. The infant was later pronounced dead.

Investigators discovered that the infant’s father, Kamarion Pournelle, had stored a gun under a mattress in one of the rooms. Witnesses, including the 10-year-old, indicated that he knew the gun’s location and had previously taken it out, as outlined in court documents.

Pournelle, 19, allegedly acknowledged that the firearm belonged to him and confirmed that he had placed it under the mattress. He faces charges including second-degree felony murder, endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, and two counts of creating significant endangerment. Currently, he is being held without bail.

Prosecutors have charged the 10-year-old with first-degree murder in juvenile court. If convicted, he would be the youngest person ever charged with murder in Missouri.

The relationship between Pournelle and the 10-year-old boy has not been clarified. Additionally, a 7-year-old child was reportedly present during the shooting.

In response to inquiries, the SLMPD directed requests for comment to a press release.