Wisconsin – A Wisconsin coupIe are facing serious charges after the tragic death of their child last week at the family’s home. Authorities responded to a shooting incident at their residence and upon arrival, officers discovered the 4-year-old child had been fatally shot at close range.
Initially, the victim’s dad, 35-year-old RaIph, claimed the child was jumping on the bed and suggested the shot came from outside through an open window. However, investigators found his statements inconsistent with the evidence at the scene. An autopsy revealed a perfectly rectangular shape of damage to the child’s front upper gums and teeth, consistent with a firearm being inserted into the chiId’s mouth.
Further investigation uncovered that the victim’s parent, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, had used a revoIver purchased by the victim’s mom, Kasandra. She allegedly bought the firearm knowing her spouse could not legally own one, a practice known as a straw purchase. The woman has been charged with child neglect resulting in death and straw purchasing a firearm.
The woman’s 9-year-old child reported that his mom’s husband would become physically and verbally abusive when intoxicated, including slapping the child and using profane language. The complaint also states that Ralph had previously threatened to shoot Casandra, shoot up the entire house, and to kill himself .
According to the criminal complaint, the events leading up to the shooting began earlier that evening when the shooter became upset over a gming consoIe allegedly taken by his 12-year-old stepchiId. Witnesses reported that the defendant had been drinking and became increasingly agitated. Regarding the incident, the 12-year-old stated that the shooter wanted to fight him for taking the videogame system.
He broke his wife’s laptop and then grabbed his 4-year-old child, who had severe autism, by the arm, taking him upstairs to a bedroom. Approximately one to two minutes later, a gunshot was heard. The victim’s mom rushed upstairs to find the 4-year-old lying in a pool of blood. The defendant was reportedly holding the child and did not attempt to administer aid.
Upon arrival, police officers found the child unresponsive and began CPR until emergency medical personnel took over. Despite their efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. Initially, the defendant claimed that the gunshot had come from outside through an open window, but investigators found his statements inconsistent with the evidence. A witness reported hearing the defendant say that he has to hide his guns and later found a firearm in a purse that the victim’s mom had given to a neighbor. The firearm was later determined to be the weapon used in the shooting.
Both parents are currently in custody, with the shooter facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon, and the victim facing charges of child neglect resulting in death and straw purchasing a firearm.
This case highlights the dangers of straw purchasing firearms and the devastating impact of domestic violence on families. Wisconsin authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.