11-year-old boy in custody after shooting dead Jenesis Dockery, 8
An 11-year-old North Carolina boy could be charged with manslaughter after allegedly fatally shooting an 8-year-old girl who was caring for his mother with a relative’s gun.
The unidentified 11-year-old was taken into custody on Friday for allegedly shooting Jenesis Dockery in the head on July 25 in Fayetteville – just an hour after she was dropped off to babysit his relative’s home.
She was taken to the hospital, where she died two days later.
No charges have been filed against the boy, but investigators believe there is enough evidence to charge him with manslaughter and theft of a firearm WRAL.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has filed documents with the Department of Juvenile Justice to further an indictment against the boy. They are also asking for secured custody.
He is currently in the custody of the juvenile detention center.
It’s unclear if charges will be filed against any of the adults involved.
According to her father, Fon Dockery, Dockery and her sister, who were there on the day of the shooting, had been observed several times by the 11-year-old’s relative.
The boy allegedly stole the guns from a safe at the babysitter’s house, Dockery family lawyer Harry Daniels said at a news conference press conference. The boy was seen holding guns in photos posted to social media before the shooting.
Daniels also said the safe was unlocked and the boy knew his combination.
Dockery’s family remembered her on a GoFundMe page as a “joyful, energetic kid with Jesus at heart and a perfect smile on her face.”
“My daughter was tragically killed,” Fon said WNCN. “It pained my heart to think that I would find myself in a situation where I would have to comfort my youngest daughter.
“It was a terrible nightmare, but it still doesn’t feel real,” he continued. “She wanted to dance and just live life, man. She loved making TikTok videos.”
The family wore orange gun violence awareness pins at Dockery’s funeral.
“Because as much as we want justice for our daughter, no parent should ever have to,” her father said.
