A Michigan man with a lengthy criminal history has been charged after a 2-year-old boy died from a gunshot wound while left alone in a car.
Avis Damone Coward, 44, is allegedly the owner of the gun that led to the toddler’s death on Oct. 24.
Coward had parked his SUV at a gas station in Lansing around 3 p.m., gone into the store, and left the child and the boy’s mother in the vehicle.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a minute later, a bullet went through the car’s window.
The mother was then seen getting out of the car with the child, who appeared to have blood on his face. The gun was then observed falling out of the car.
Avis Damone Coward, 44, is the owner of the gun that resulted in the toddler’s death on Oct. 24
That day, around 3 p.m., Coward left his SUV at a gas station in Lansing and went into the store, leaving the child and the boy’s mother in the car. According to the US Attorney’s Office, a minute later a bullet hole could be seen in the vehicle window. The weapon finally falls to the ground
The unidentified two-year-old later died from his injuries. Coward returned to the vehicle, found the gun, picked it up and put it back inside before closing the door and breaking the window with his hand.
He then drives away. The 44-year-old was arrested by local authorities later in the day, but the SUV was missing.
Police allege that while in prison, Coward called a woman and asked him to find his “phones,” which they believe were code for firearms.
The next day, Coward called the woman and a man again using the same code, prompting investigators to track them down.
They discovered two handguns, a pellet gun and five grams of meth. They immediately arrested the man, who told them Coward told him where the weapons were.
It took another week until the SUV in which the child fatally shot himself was found. It was found completely burned out in a field.
Coward has a criminal history dating back to 1998, with six felony convictions.
Coward returned to the vehicle, found the gun, picked it up and put it back inside before closing the door and breaking the window with his hand. He then drives away
It took a week to find the SUV in which the child fatally shot himself. It was found completely burned out in a field
Coward called a woman and a man who used phones as a code word for weapons, leading investigators to track them down. They discovered two handguns, a pellet gun and five grams of meth
This year alone he was convicted of burglary and carrying a concealed weapon.
The next year he was convicted of delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance.
In 2003, he was convicted of brandishing a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.
“The death of a child by gunfire is a story that should never be written,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.
“But as of 2022, gun violence will be the leading cause of death for children in America for the first time ever.”
The SUV was found burned out in a field in Lansing
Coward has a criminal history dating back to 1998, with six felony convictions
Totten did not mention Coward’s past as a six-time felon, but believes gun control will prevent further tragedies.
“As this surging epidemic reaches our most innocent, my office will use all available resources to ensure full accountability and prevent future harm.”
According to People, the two-year-old boy’s tragic death remains under investigation and more charges may be filed.