A tragic incident in Detroit involved Tonya Charisse-Annice Johnson, a 41-year-old DoorDash driver, who left her five young children (ages 2 to 11) alone in her vehicle with an unsecured handgun while picking up a food order on March 2, 2026. Her 11-year-old son found the gun under the driver’s seat, fired it, and fatally shot his 6-year-old sister in the head; one child ran into the restaurant to alert her, and she called 911, but the girl died at a hospital.
Charges Filed
Johnson faces serious charges under Michigan’s Safe Storage Law, including one count of firearms safe storage violation resulting in death, three counts of second-degree child abuse, and four counts of felony firearm. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy called it one of the worst such cases, noting lifelong trauma for the surviving children; four more unsecured guns were found in her home, and a used toilet in the car highlighted broader neglect.
Court Appearance
She appeared virtually in 36th District Court on Thursday, March 5, wiping away tears as prosecutors argued she poses a risk to her children. Her defense attorney noted her deep remorse, but Assistant Prosecutor Aniela Bosca emphasized the negligence and trauma inflicted on the family.
