MILWAUKEE — Two people have been charged in connection to the fatal shooting of a 6-year-old in Milwaukee, according to police.
The 6-year-old boy died last Tuesday, April 1 from a fatal gunshot injury after obtaining a gun. The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. near the 4200 block of N. 51st Boulevard.
According to a criminal complaint, the boy’s grandmother heard a loud noise and found the boy in the living room, with a gunshot wound. She told 911 dispatchers that she believed her grandson shot himself.
Charges have now been filed against Daquela Collins, the mother of the 6-year-old, and Quintell Collins, the uncle of the 6-year-old.
A gun belonging to Daquela Collins was found next to the boy’s body. Police said she had purchased a Palmetto 9mm firearm about a month ago and kept it in the cardboard box it came in on the floor of the front room closet. Police said they found a gun lock for the firearm still in the wrapper, inside the box.
In the afternoon before the shooting, police report that Quintell Collins posted a video on Instagram of him rapping, while holding two guns: his and Daquela Collins'. That video was filmed in the house, and the 6-year-old boy can be seen in the background, lying on a couch.
The criminal complaint states that police received a tip that Quintell Colllins was at a house in Milwaukee. When police found him getting into a car outside the house, officers tried to stop him. Then, police say Quintell Collins led them on a high-speed chase on city streets before stop sticks were used and he stopped.
Investigators also report that Daquela Collins bought Quintell Collins' gun for him.
Daquela Collins is being charged with one count of neglecting a child consequence of death as party to a crime and another count of straw purchasing of firearm. She could face up to 35 years in prison and fines up to $125,000 if she’s convicted.
Quintell Collins was charged with more:
- One count of neglecting a child consequence of death as party to a crime
- One count of second degree reckless homicide (habitual criminality repeater)
- Two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon (habitual criminality repeater)
- One count of second degree recklessly endangering safety (habitual criminality repeater)
- One count of operating a motor vehicle to flee or in attempt to elude an officer (habitual criminality repeater)
- One count of obstructing an officer (habitual criminality repeater)
He could face up to 116 years in prison or fines of up to $295,000 if convicted.
Police said the 6-year-old was days away from celebrating a birthday and that the death could have been prevented if weapons were secured. Police reminded people to keep their firearms locked with a gunlock and secured out of the reach of children.
