Miami Gardens Police Investigate Death Of Boy, 6, Who Reportedly Shot Himself
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – Miami Gardens police continue to investigate the death of a six-year-old boy who reportedly shot himself over the weekend.
Sanevia Wrentz is the boy's mother. She told CBS4 News her son, Demetrius, would always laugh and smile. She also described him as a typical playful child.
Monday night, Wrentz gathered with close friends and loved ones for a prayer and released balloons in honor of her son.
Police say the child shot himself at around 9 a.m. Saturday morning along Northwest 27th Court in Miami Gardens in a neighborhood not far from the Florida Turnpike and Northwest 27th avenue.
"Heartbreakingly unacceptable and entirely preventable. Early reports confirm one of our 6-year-old students accidentally shot himself in the head; an older child witnessed it. What will it take for adults to secure their guns? How much more heartache? When is it finally enough?" Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho tweeted.
Wrentz wants to hear from investigators. She is still wondering how her small child was able to gain access to a gun. She has an 8-year-old child who also lives at the Miami Gardens home. She is now concerned for the safety of her other child.
It's still unclear who owns the gun, how the child got it, and who was home with him. Police said the weapon was not properly stored and the child accidentally shot himself in the head.
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle tweeted, "Another preventable and senseless gun tragedy in our community. A 6-year-old child found a loaded gun in his home and apparently shot himself. He has passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with his young soul and loved ones."
CBS4 News cameras were there as police were talking and playing with another small child outside the home. Investigators didn't give a relation.
Loved ones tried to hold back tears moments after learning from police a child shot himself.
"Just surprised. Shocked," a woman visiting the neighborhood said.
She went on to tell CBS4 News she never expected to see yellow crime scene tape and multiple detectives nearby.
"Just pray for the family," she said.
Shortly after, officers had a message for all gun owners.
"If you have a gun, we are asking that you abide by the state laws and secure your weapons," Miami Gardens Police Spokesperson Carolyn Frazer said.
A close friend of the family who once lived at the home says the child's father also lives here but travels a lot. Miami Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvahlo was at the school Monday to deliver the message put on Twitter multiple times over the weekend.
"Unless we take care and address these issues up front we're going to continue to be in this cycle, after the debate is over, after the prayers what we know is that there will be one 6-year-old who will never come back to this school," he said.
Police have not confirmed who owns the gun and whether anybody will be charged.
