Missouri Horror: 10-Year-Old Becomes Youngest in State History Charged With Murder After Shooting Baby in the Head
In a shocking tragedy that has sent ripples of horror through St. Louis and beyond, a 10-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder, making him the youngest person in Missouri history to face such charges. The victim was a defenseless 7-month-old baby girl named Kiyomi Parker, who was fatally shot in the head inside a home in the Baden neighborhood on North Broadway.
According to authorities, officers responded to reports of a shooting shortly after 4 p.m. on Friday. Upon arrival, they discovered the infant with a critical gunshot wound to the head. In a desperate bid to save her life, police performed immediate life-saving measures at the scene and rushed her to the hospital using a “scoop and go” tactic — placing her in the back of a patrol car while an officer continued CPR en route, with others blocking traffic to speed up the journey. Despite their heroic efforts, little Kiyomi was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Witnesses described a devastating scene: the 10-year-old boy allegedly picked up a handgun that had been hidden under a mattress in a bedroom and fired the fatal shot. A 7-year-old child was also present in the home at the time. Investigators say the boy admitted he knew the gun’s location, had accessed it before, and understood it was there. The victim’s 19-year-old father, Ca’Marion Pawnell, reportedly confirmed to police that the firearm belonged to him and that he had stashed it in that easily accessible spot.
Pawnell has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child endangerment resulting in death, and additional counts of child endangerment creating substantial risk. He is being held without bond. The relationship between Pawnell and the 10-year-old remains unclear, though reports indicate the boy is the infant’s relative, possibly her uncle or cousin.
The 10-year-old suspect was taken into custody the following day and charged in juvenile court. Because Missouri law prohibits prosecuting children under 12 as adults, his case will remain in the juvenile system. He has been placed in protective custody with the Missouri Children’s Division and is currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation at a hospital. If adjudicated, he could potentially remain in juvenile custody until age 21.
This case has reignited intense debates about gun safety, child access to firearms, and the juvenile justice system. Community leaders and advocates have expressed profound sorrow, calling for greater accountability in securing weapons around young children and highlighting the broader epidemic of gun violence affecting families in urban areas. Many are questioning how a loaded handgun could be left within easy reach of a child in a home with infants and toddlers present.
The incident underscores the tragic consequences when curiosity, immaturity, and unsecured firearms collide. As authorities continue their investigation, the community mourns the loss of a precious life that had barely begun, while grappling with difficult questions about prevention, responsibility, and how the justice system handles such extraordinarily young offenders.
