Louisiana Man Killed in Accidental Shooting - Shooter Arrested Immediately

Local news

A 20-year-old man was accidentally killed on Saturday afternoon when he and an acquaintance were looking at a gun in a Baton Rouge home’s storage room, according to police.

The two men were in a home in the 4900 block of Jefferson Avenue when the gun went off about 12:30 p.m., said Cpl. L’Jean McKneely, a Baton Rouge police spokesman. A single bullet struck Demarcus Rheams in the chest, and he died at the scene, according to McKneely.

Jawan Billy, 19, was holding the gun when it was fired, McKneely said. Billy remained at the scene and was detained for questioning, McKneely said.

“They didn’t have problems before,” McKneely added of the two men. “It wasn’t purposely done.”

Billy was booked Saturday into Parish Prison on counts of negligent homicide and illegal use of a stolen weapon.

Newark Couple Arrested for Child Shooting

The children's mother, 33-year-old Catrease Thomas, is charged with child endangerment and illegal weapons possession stemming from the weekend shooting. (November 17, 2014 6:12 PM)

Local news reports

A mother has pleaded not guilty in connection to the accidental shooting of a 9-year-old girl by her 12-year-old brother.

As News 12 New Jersey previously reported, police say the girl was accidentally shot by her brother with a stolen gun. The boy was playing with the unsecured gun Saturday at a home on Renner Avenue in Newark.

The children's mother, 33-year-old Catrese Thomas, is charged...


Sabeer Brumson's gun was allegedly used by a 12-year-old boy to accidentally shoot his 9-year-old sister.

Police have arrested a man in connection with the accidental shooting of a 9-year-old.

Authorities say Sabeer Brumson, 33, was taken into custody in Moorestown.

Police say a 12-year-old boy found the gun in their Newark apartment on Renner Avenue last weekend and accidentally shot his 9-year-old sister.

Police say Brumson is the boyfriend of the children's mother, who faces child...

Illinois Woman Sentenced to 10-Months Time Served for Killing her Friend while Playing with a Gun

Katelyn R. Stapleton

Local news reports

A woman Wednesday was sentenced to two years’ probation and 10 months in prison for the fatal shooting a a friend.

Katelyn R. Stapleton, 27, of Collinsville, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in exchange for a prosecution agreement to the 10—month sentence, along with probation. She was given credit for 10 months served in the Madison County Jail since the shooting on Feb. 23, so she was ordered released after reporting to the probation office.

She has been held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Authorities said the shooting was an accident. Interviews with witnesses confirmed that Stapleton and her friend, Andrew M. Birch, were playing with the gun.

Birch died at his home just five days short of his 24th birthday. There were three other people in the home at the time of the shooting, police said.

Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Jennifer Vucich told the court Wednesday that both Stapleton and Birch were handling the gun, when Stapleton pulled the trigger and shot Birch in the head.