A recently released court document sheds light on the events leading up to the tragic death of Davion Gunter Jr., a 7-year-old Wichita boy, who was fatally shot after midnight on March 16.
The incident has led to the arrest of Tasha Dillard, a 25-year-old woman, who now faces first-degree murder charges, along with multiple counts of aggravated child endangerment. Here’s a breakdown of the events based on the probable cause affidavit and police findings.
The Tragic Incident on E. Ross Parkway
On the night of March 16, just after midnight, a distress call was made to 911 from the 3700 block of E. Ross Parkway.
The caller reported that a 4-year-old child had been playing with a gun, which led to the shooting of 7-year-old Davion Gunter Jr. EMS responded immediately, rushing the child to the hospital, but tragically, the boy passed away within the hour.
Key Details from the Court Document
According to the court documents, Tasha Dillard had invited a few women over for a small gathering, during which they were drinking tequila in the parking lot while several children, aged 1 to 9, remained inside her apartment.
The children later ran out to the adults, screaming that someone had been shot.
What Happened Inside the Apartment?
Detectives conducted separate interviews with the children who were inside the apartment at the time of the incident.
According to their testimony, the gun had been in Dillard’s purse. The children claimed that one of them began playing with the gun, which resulted in the fatal shooting.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Time | March 16, shortly after midnight. |
| Location | 3700 block of E. Ross Parkway, Wichita. |
| Victim | Davion Gunter Jr., 7 years old. |
| Cause of Death | Gunshot wound caused by a firearm being played with by a child. |
| Suspect | Tasha Dillard, 25, charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child endangerment. |
| Children Involved | Children aged 1 to 9, witnessed the incident and identified the gun’s location. |
Dillard’s Statements to Police
After the incident, Tasha Dillard initially told police that she did not own a gun. She claimed that some male friends had visited earlier in the day, and one of them had a firearm.
She admitted to posing with the gun in a photo but said the men took the gun away before it got dark.
However, when detectives confronted her with the children’s statements, she denied having a gun in her purse. Dillard later changed her story, admitting that there might be firearm accessories in her kitchen cabinet, which she claimed were left behind from when her sons’ father lived with her.
Aggravated Child Endangerment Charges
In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Dillard is also facing six counts of aggravated child endangerment.
This charge stems from the fact that, during the time of the incident, several young children were left unattended in the apartment while adults were outside drinking.
The tragic death of Davion Gunter Jr. highlights the devastating consequences of leaving children unsupervised in dangerous situations.
The details outlined in the court documents reveal a series of poor decisions, culminating in a fatal accident. Tasha Dillard now faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated child endangerment, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
This case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of ensuring children’s safety and supervision, particularly when firearms are involved.