6-year-old boy died while in his uncle’s care after he grabbed the gun his mother purchased as her brother was “into it with people” and shot himself in the head; mother and uncle charged
Wisconsin – In a shocking incident in Wisconsin, a 26-year-old mother, identified as Daquela C., and a 21-year-old man, identified as Quintell C., are facing serious charges after a 6-year-old boy, identified as Da’quel C., lost his life earlier this month, just days before his birthday, due to what authorities describe as severe neglect and reckless behavior within his own family.
The police department received a distressing 911 call around 9:30 p.m. from Da’quel’s grandmother, who believed her grandson had accidentally shot himself. According to the criminal complaint, she reported hearing a bang and subsequently found Da’quel in the living room, lying in a pool of blood with a gun near his foot. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, marking a somber outcome to what was initially reported as a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The immediate aftermath saw police launching a full investigation, which included reviewing surveillance footage from the neighborhood. The video captured two individuals, the victim’s uncle Quintell and another man, hastily hiding an object under a trash bin shortly after the gunshot was heard. This object was later confirmed to be a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine, which investigators believe was used in the shooting.
Daquela, the mother of the victim and sister to Quintell, was arrested along with her brother in connection to the tragic event. The investigation revealed that Daquela had left her son in the care of her brother and their mother while she went out. She admitted to purchasing a 9mm handgun recently, citing safety concerns due to her brother’s involvement with dangerous individuals. Daquela told authorities her brother “was into it with people,” and she felt the need to purchase the gun. Disturbingly, earlier on the day of the shooting, Quintell had sent Daquela a video showing him brandishing two firearms, with Da’quel visible in the background.
Despite her awareness of the perilous environment her children were in, Daquela failed to act promptly. She even saw a message from her three-year-old daughter indicating exposure to the firearms, highlighting a continuous lack of supervision and safety for her children. This negligent oversight culminated in her son’s untimely death, for which she and her brother now face serious charges. As per authorities, the boy grabbed the gun and accidentally discharged it, inflicting fatal injuries on himself.
Quintell faces charges of second-degree reckless homicide, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and fleeing from police, among others. His reckless actions during and after the incident, including a high-speed chase where he threw money out of his vehicle window, further underscored his disregard for public safety and the law. Daquela is charged with straw purchasing a firearm, implying she bought the gun for her brother, a convicted felon. Additionally, both siblings are charged with neglecting a child where the consequence is death. They remain incarcerated with bonds set at $10,000 for Daquela and $100,300 for Quintell, with a court date scheduled for April 15.
The local community and the family of Da’quel are left to grapple with the loss of a young life that, as described in his obituary, was full of love, joy, and the promise of a bright future. The case has not only highlighted the devastating impact of domestic negligence and illegal firearm possession but also the broader issues of gun safety and child protection in the community. As the legal proceedings continue, there is a strong call for justice for Da’quel and a reevaluation of community and familial responsibilities in preventing such needless tragedies in the future. The loss of Da’quel is a stark reminder of the critical importance of vigilance and proactive intervention in safeguarding vulnerable lives.
