Boy, 11, charged with manslaughter after 3-year-old boy is shot dead 'with gun he took from his father's closet'

  • Prosecutors have charged an 11-year-old boy in the shooting death of 3-year-old Elijah Walker at a home on Detroit's east side
  • The 11-year-old appeared Wednesday in juvenile court
  • The older boy took a handgun from a bedroom closet at his father's home and tossed it from a window into the backyard, prosecutors say
  • He later retrieved the gun and climbed into a car parked in the yard
  • 3-year-old Elijah got into the car and was shot once in the face

By Associated Press and Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 16:59 EST, 5 August 2015 | Updated: 18:55 EST, 5 August 2015

Prosecutors have charged an 11-year-old boy in the shooting death of 3-year-old Elijah Walker at a home on Detroit's east side.

The 11-year-old appeared Wednesday in juvenile court on charges of manslaughter with a weapon aimed with intent but without malice, as well as using a firearm during a felony.

His name has not been released because he is not being charged as an adult. 

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Victim: Prosecutors have charged an 11-year-old boy in the shooting death of 3-year-old Elijah Walker, pictured, at a home on Detroit's east side

Victim: Prosecutors have charged an 11-year-old boy in the shooting death of 3-year-old Elijah Walker, pictured, at a home on Detroit's east side

Incident: 3-year-old Elijah was shot once in the face 

Incident: 3-year-old Elijah was shot once in the face 

The 11-year-old's attorney asked for a competency hearing during the appearance, for which the boy's parents were in attendance. 

Bond was set at $5,000 and a pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Aug. 10.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement: 'I cannot remember a time where we have charged someone so young with taking a life. 

'Very unfortunately and very tragically, the alleged facts in this case demanded it.'

The older boy took a handgun from a bedroom closet at his father's home Monday afternoon and tossed it from a window into the backyard, according to Worthy's office. 

He later retrieved the gun and climbed into a car parked in the yard. 

Elijah got into the car and was shot once in the face.

Victim: A GoFundMe page for his funeral costs says 'Elijah was always on the go with his incredible amount of energy and never failed to give anyone his million dollar smile'

Victim: A GoFundMe page for his funeral costs says 'Elijah was always on the go with his incredible amount of energy and never failed to give anyone his million dollar smile'

The shooting remains under investigation. Authorities were attempting to determine if the boys were related, police said

The shooting remains under investigation. Authorities were attempting to determine if the boys were related, police said

The shooting remains under investigation. Authorities were attempting to determine if the boys were related, police said.

'Our sweet baby boy, Elijah Walker, was taken away from us way too soon at only 3 years old,' a GoFundMe page for his funeral costs says. 

It continues: 'Elijah was always on the go with his incredible amount of energy and never failed to give anyone his million dollar smile. 

'He loved playing with his two older sisters and cousins.

'His bright smile, contagious laughter, and sweet personality will forever be missed. 

'He was and will always be loved by his entire family and we are extremely devastated by this tragic loss.' 

Jannee Hill, a cousin, told MyFoxDetroit: 'He was always smiling. A happy, happy little boy. Curious, but he was a very happy little boy.' 

A GoFundMe page for Elijah's funeral costs can be found here.  

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