News footage of the scene outside a residence in Philadelphia, Pa., where a boy allegedly shot his mother’s boyfriend on March 5 (WPVI).
In a tragic incident in Pennsylvania, an 11-year-old boy allegedly shot and killed his mother’s boyfriend during what authorities describe as a domestic violence situation.
The Philadelphia police have identified the victim as 30-year-old Jaimeer Jones-Walker. The fatal shooting occurred on Thursday, as reported by ABC affiliate WPVI. The young boy, who is the son of Jones-Walker’s girlfriend, is accused of shooting Jones-Walker in the face during a heated argument that escalated into physical violence.
Jones-Walker was declared dead at the scene.
According to WPVI, the confrontation between Jones-Walker and his girlfriend reportedly arose over issues concerning visitation rights to their newborn child. NBC affiliate WCAU added that the boy allegedly intervened after witnessing Jones-Walker assault his mother in her bedroom. Notably, Jones-Walker did not reside at the address where the incident took place.
Authorities have stated that the boy fired a single shot that proved fatal to Jones-Walker.
The firearm used was legally owned by the boy’s mother, according to the police. Both the mother and her son remained on the scene and are said to be cooperating fully with the investigation. WCAU noted that the boy is currently staying with another family member.
Shyreea Blocker, a neighbor of the boy and his mother, told WCAU that she heard the woman and her boyfriend have verbal arguments before. She told WCAU she would hear “arguing and fighting, but that’s nothing new with them. It’s a shame. It shouldn’t be like that.”
Another neighbor, Gilbert Blocker, told WCAU that he worried for the boy, saying, “The things he’s going to suffer in his heart if he has any feelings, is going to last him not just now but for the rest of his life.”
WPVI and WCAU both reported that it was not immediately clear if the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office was going to press charges. No arrests were made on the night of the shooting.
