Elliot Staples III avoided a lengthy prison term after a tragic accident where a 3-year-old boy he was babysitting fatally shot himself with an unsecured gun. The incident highlights critical failures in firearm safety around children.
Incident Details
On October 21, 2024, in Minneapolis, Staples removed his holstered gun and placed it on a kitchen island counter while stepping away to the bathroom, believing the child couldn’t reach it. He typically stored it higher on the refrigerator but cited being “rushed” this time. Moments later, he heard a gunshot and found 3-year-old JaJuan Robinson Jr. with a head wound; the boy died at the hospital.
Legal Outcome
Staples, 31, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. On January 28, 2026 (reported as “Wednesday”), a judge sentenced him to 180 days in jail starting March 3, five years of probation, and $7,500 in restitution to the family. Probation violation could lead to four years in prison.
Family Impact
JaJuan’s mother, Charlotte Williams, was working during the babysitting and voiced shock that her son mistook the gun for a toy. The boy’s aunt described him on GoFundMe as energetic, a Spider-Man fan who loved dinosaurs and dreamed of operating excavators.​
