A tragic incident in Bainbridge, Georgia, has led to charges against a teenager and his grandmother after an 8-year-old boy was fatally shot. The boy, Kylen Powell, was found dead on July 11, and both a 13-year-old cousin and 49-year-old Knisha Ann Perkins, the grandmother, were arrested in connection to the death.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred around 11 p.m. local time when the two boys were at their grandmother’s home. The 13-year-old, whose name has not been released due to his age, allegedly shot Kylen in the face with a 9mm handgun. It is unclear how the teenager came to possess the firearm.
Responding deputies found Kylen lying on the living room floor, and after examining the scene, it was determined that the 8-year-old was beyond help. The gun, however, was not located near the scene. Law enforcement officials have yet to explain how the weapon was removed from the area.
Charges Filed
As a result of the incident, the teenager has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. Perkins, the grandmother, has been charged with three counts of cruelty to children in the second degree and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Safety Concerns and Warnings
Decatur County Coroner DeWitt Phillip, who was called to the scene, expressed concerns about the dangers of leaving firearms unsecured, especially when children are present. He urged families to take extra precautions in keeping their guns safe, as children often do not understand the potential consequences of handling firearms.
“Kids get a hold of them, and they don’t think,” Phillip said in an interview with WALB-TV. “We need people to secure ‘em so we don’t have these children dead.”
He also shared the emotional toll these cases take, noting that while the families are left to deal with the aftermath, law enforcement and coroner staff are also deeply affected by such tragedies.
Investigation and Legal Responses
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continues, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Decatur County SheriAfter an 8-year-old cousin was shot and killed with a firearm, a 13-year-old boy and his grandmother were chargedff’s Office (DCSO), and Decatur County Coroner involved in the case. However, the GBI and local officials have not responded to requests for further comment at this time.
This case highlights the dangers of unsecured firearms and serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping firearms locked away, especially in homes with children.
