Who was D'evan McFall? Texas girl, 14, accidentally shoots boy, 11, dead after fight with another female
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised
DALLAS, TEXAS: A 14-year-old Texas girl mistakenly shot and killed an 11-year-old boy named D'evan McFall after getting into a fight with another girl. The Texas girl, whose identity has been withheld, has been charged with murder after it was discovered that McFall had sadly died from his injuries.
On Sunday, January 15 at around 2 pm, police were summoned to the Cedar Crest neighborhood of Dallas in response to reports of a shooting at the Southern Oaks Apartments. Sergeant Warren Mitchell of the Dallas Police Department stated that they learned that two girls were fighting in the parking lot when one of them, a 14-year-old, "retrieved a handgun and fired toward the direction of the female she was fighting." She accidentally shot McFall, who was sent to the hospital but later died from his injuries. The 14-year-old attempted to flee to a nearby housing complex but was caught after being observed escaping, according to ABC News. She is currently being held at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center after being charged with the murder.
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Mitchell stated, "This is a horrible incident," and claimed that the murder weapon had been found and that witnesses were being questioned by homicide detectives. He also stated that there was no evidence of gang activity and instead "a beef between two juveniles that led to a deadly outcome" unfolded.
On Monday, January 16, friends and family of the victim visited the scene of the tragedy to commemorate McFall. Vashunte Settles, his mother, stated, "He was naturally athletic, very talented. He loved to make people smile. He was a good child," as reported by NBCDFW.
The families claimed they had been told not to discuss the girls or their relationship with the victim since they were all minors and the criminal case would be tried in juvenile court, where names are kept confidential. They said that all three were close, so what transpired is just awful.
A family representative, Bishop Reshunn Chambers, stated, "We need the world to know that there is a better way." Aiesha Oliver, a neighbor, said the juvenile shouldn't have had access to a weapon and that the incident shouldn't have happened.
Oliver stated, "For the gun to be so visible and open to where she grabbed it and it even came into play, I mean it’s horrible you know? If you did have it in your car why not have it locked away." The victim's mother reported that family members were speaking on Monday, January 16 to express their grief. "It's not worth it. We need to talk to our kids. Violence is not the answer," Settles stated.