6-Year-Old Shot Death; Was the Shooting Self-Inflicted?
Daisy Acevedo
There is grim news from the island of San Pedro where residents are still recovering from a deadly fire last week. A six-year old girl was killed at her house this morning in the DFC area of the island. The young child, Daisy Acevedo, was shot on the neck and had partial amputation to her two fingers on her right hand. She died soon after. Police are investigating the manner in which Daisy Acevedo was shot and killed. There are questions if the child accidentally inflicted the fatal injury on herself and how did she get a hold of her stepfather’s licensed firearm which was reportedly locked away in a drawer somewhere in the house? Her stepfather is being held for questioning as social workers get statements from her siblings who were in the house. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
The body of six-year-old Daisy Acevedo awaits a postmortem exam following a fatal shooting this morning in San Pedro. Just after seven a.m., a single shot rang out on Marina Drive in the DFC area of the island town; the minor had been shot to the neck and reports say that the bullet exited her skull. The incident occurred inside the house, where her sixteen-year-old sister was sleeping; her nine-year-old brother, their two year old brother and their stepfather were awake. But was the fatal shot self-inflicted or accidental?
Joseph Myvett
ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“Shortly after 7:45 this morning, San Pedro police responded to the San Pedro polyclinic where they observed the lifeless body of a female charge with apparent gunshot injuries to the neck area. Police have since detained one person in regards to this investigation which is ongoing. One licensed nine-millimeter pistol has also been retrieved by the police pending this investigation.”
Reporter
“Were the parents present?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“The stepfather was present. But it was our understanding that the mother had left.”
Reporter
“So it could not be determined whether the child was playing with the gun or whether it was something, somebody else mistakenly shot the baby?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“No, not at this time, but the officers are canvassing the area as well as speaking to the person in custody.”
Daisy was rushed to the San Pedro polyclinic by her stepfather who intercepted a passing golf cart, but she died while receiving treatment at the medical facility. Tonight, thirty-year-old tour guide Shamir Myvett of the DFC area is in detention following the fatal shooting of his stepdaughter. Social workers have been called in to assist the police with taking statements from Daisy’s siblings as the investigation continues.
Reymundo Reyes
ASP Reymundo Reyes, Deputy Regional Commander, Eastern Division North
“It was determine that while the child was inside the house, some mishap happened in which the child sustained the injury. So at this present moment, we are interviewing the other siblings in order for us to try and find out what actually transpired or how the child came about sustaining the injury.”
The unfortunate incident brings into focus the issue of safekeeping a licensed firearm within a household. Police are trying to determine how the minor got possession of her stepfather’s licensed nine millimeter gun.
ACP Joseph Myvett
“From our investigations, the police is being told that the gun was locked up inside a child in the home.”
Reporter
“And how did the children come by the gun then?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Well as I was briefed, this is a very recent or new investigation which we are going into and the police have not yet determined what exactly happened.”
Reporter
“Is there a charge for something like this for not properly handling a licensed firearm?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Yeah there has to be some accountability which we are looking into at this point in time.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
