Kenneth Kendrick Sims, 35, was arrested by Mobile police on Wednesday, March 5, 2014. (Courtesy of the Mobile County Sheriff's Office)
Still reeling from the news that his 7-year-old son had died after accidentally shooting himself in the head on Wednesday, a Mobile man was arrested after police said he attempted to take vengeance against a family member whom he held responsible for the child's death.
Kenneth Kendrick Sims, 35, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault following an altercation at the home where 7-year-old J'Daun Hill found a relative's gun and accidentally shot himself in the head on Wednesday, said MPD spokeswoman Ashley Rains.
J'Daun was transported to the University of South Alabama Medical Center, where he later died.
Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, officers made their second journey in 24-hours to a home on the 2600 block of Wealthy Street, Rains said. Police were responding to a reported assault at the home. Officers learned Sims had walked into the home while armed with a large knife and a gun.
"He said he was looking for a specific family member who he felt was responsible for J'Daun's death," Rains said.
Two of his relatives sustained minor, superficial cuts while trying to get the grieving father outside of the home, Rains said. They were treated at the scene by members of the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department.
Once outside the home, a second altercation started, Rains said. Sims pulled out his gun and fired two shots, causing another superficial injury to a third person, she said.
On Thursday, police announced an investigation had revealed J'Daun had accidentally shot himself in the head after finding a gun which had been hidden in a spot believed to be safe by a family member. Police do not anticipate any charges will be filed in J'Daun's death.