A tragic incident in Wisconsin has led to the arrest of a brother and sister following the death of a 7-year-old boy from a gunshot wound to the head. The siblings, 26-year-old Daquela Collins and her 21-year-old brother Quintell Collins, are currently in custody in relation to the death of Daquela’s son, Da’quel “King” Collins, who was due to celebrate his seventh birthday just three days after the fatal incident on April 1.
The boy’s grandmother, who was present at the time of the incident, called 911 around 9:30 p.m. on April 1, stating that she believed her grandson had shot himself. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Milwaukee Police Department, the grandmother reported hearing a loud noise and upon investigating, found her grandson in a pool of blood with a gun next to his left foot.
The police began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Da’quel’s death. Although the complaint does not explicitly detail the police’s theory, it suggests that the boy may have accidentally discharged a firearm. Surveillance footage obtained from a neighbor’s camera showed two men, one believed to be Quintell Collins, fleeing the house and hiding an object under a trash bin in an alley shortly after the shooting. A 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine was later found under the bin.
Daquela Collins and her children had recently moved into her mother’s home, where her brother Quintell resided in the basement. On the day of the incident, Daquela had left her son in the care of her brother and mother while she visited her boyfriend and went to work. In an interview with detectives, Daquela revealed that she had recently purchased a 9 mm handgun for protection, as her brother was often in conflict with others.
Earlier that day, Quintell had sent Daquela an Instagram video of him making a rap video while holding two firearms, one of which appeared to be the 9 mm handgun found near Da’quel. Daquela had messaged her brother to put the gun down and also informed her mother about her brother’s actions.
Despite seeing her brother handling firearms recklessly in the video, Daquela did not return home to ensure her son’s safety, according to the detectives. She also mentioned to the police that her 3-year-old daughter had expressed a desire to have a gun, presumably influenced by seeing her uncle with firearms.
During a search of the home, police found the box of the 9 mm handgun in a living room closet, along with an unopened box for a gunlock. Quintell was also allegedly seen on video returning to the alley where he had hidden the gun, but by then, the police had already collected it as evidence.
Quintell was later apprehended after a high-speed chase, during which he threw money out of his car window at cheering onlookers. Despite evidence to the contrary, he denied being at the house at the time of the shooting and placing the firearm under the trash bin.
Both siblings are charged with child neglect resulting in death. Quintell faces additional charges of second-degree reckless homicide, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and fleeing from the police. Daquela is also charged with straw purchasing of a firearm, which involves buying a gun for someone else. Daquela is being held on a $10,000 bond, while Quintell’s bond is set at $100,300. Their next court appearance is scheduled for April 15.
A GoFundMe fundraiser described Da’quel as a “bright, loving and joyful” boy.