WICHITA, KAN. — A woman has been sentenced after a 7-year-old boy was fatally shot by a 4-year-old child who accessed her firearm. Tasha Dillard, 25, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and six counts of aggravated child endangerment.
The sentencing comes after the tragic incident occurred on March 15. Dillard was drinking with friends in her car while seven children were left in her apartment unattended.
When a child ran out to alert the adults, “Take him to the hospital,” a woman rushed inside to find Davion Gunter bleeding from his chest. She carried him outside until help arrived.
Court documents indicate that Dillard initially denied owning any firearms. She later acknowledged having a gun, which was left visible on a counter after a friend took a video for social media.
Davion was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. His death was ruled a homicide after it was determined the 4-year-old shot him in the chest.
Dillard had been facing charges of first-degree murder before accepting a plea deal in September. On Thursday, she received a sentence of 37 months in prison and additional post-release supervision.
The judge agreed to a sentence below the minimum requested by Dillard’s attorneys. This decision followed the complexity of the case and the pleading.