A Kansas woman has been sentenced to prison after a tragic incident in which a 4-year-old child gained access to her firearm and fatally shot another child. Tasha Dillard, 25, entered a guilty plea to charges of involuntary manslaughter and six counts of aggravated child endangerment in September, following her arrest in relation to the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Davion Gunter.
Court records indicate that Dillard was among several adults socializing at a Planeview apartment complex on March 15, where seven children were also present. While Dillard and the other adults were consuming tequila in her car, the children were left unattended in her apartment. A mere 10 minutes later, one of the children emerged from the apartment, urging the adults to take Davion to the hospital.
Upon entering the apartment, a woman discovered Davion suffering from a chest wound. She carried the boy outside and held him until emergency services arrived. This same woman later informed police that she was aware Dillard had purchased a firearm a few weeks prior.
Court documents reveal that Dillard initially denied owning any firearms or having any in her residence. However, she later admitted to owning a gun, which she claimed she had left behind her purse on the counter, out of plain sight. Dillard explained that the firearm had been left on the counter after a friend had used it as a prop for a Snapchat photo.
Davion was rushed to the hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. The investigation revealed that a 4-year-old child had found the gun and accidentally shot Davion in the chest. The death was subsequently ruled a homicide.
Dillard was initially charged with first-degree murder, but in September, she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and six counts of aggravated child endangerment. On Thursday, she received a sentence of 37 months in prison, equivalent to three years and one month, with an additional two years of post-release supervision. Despite her attorneys’ request for a lesser sentence, the judge upheld the minimum sentence.