DALLAS, TX – Dallas police have arrested the mother of a three-year-old boy who was shot in the head in what she had claimed was a road-rage incident.
Lacravivonne Washington, 26, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the March 28 death of her son, Jalexus Washington Jr.
In arrest documents made public Monday, police said the mother “recklessly killed” her 3-year-old son, then attempted to get rid of the gun and faked a road-rage incident.
Police say the gun that was used to kill Jalexus was in her car and that she told her husband, Jalexus Washington Sr., that she had fired the gun.
Lacravivonne was initially arrested on child-endangerment and evidence-tampering charges.
According to the arrest warrant, Lacravivonne drove her son to Medical City Dallas hospital with a gunshot wound to his head.
A witness there told police Lacravivonne tried to hide something under her shirt as she got out of her car.
Police said that Lacravivonne’s 4-year-old daughter, who was in the car with her siblings, told detectives she watched her mom hand a gun to her dad.
Police found a gun inside the car, but it wasn’t the one used to shoot Jalexus.
Police said the gun used to shoot the boy was found on his father when police arrested him on outstanding warrants and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Lacravivonne initially claimed she was the victim of a road-rage incident during which two shots were fired. She claimed she had a gun in the glove compartment and reached for it but never fired it.
Jalexus Washington Jr. was last seen in a doughnut shop with his mother about 20 minutes before he was taken to the hospital.
A three-year-old boy was fatally shot Monday morning. Dallas police say this is an active, ongoing investigation. Details to come here https://t.co/U8i3ZCINWX @NBCDFW
— Katy Blakey (@KatyBlakeyNBC5) March 28, 2022
According to an arrest-warrant affidavit, when police initially interviewed Lacravivonne at the hospital, she said she had left the shop with three of her children — ages 2, 3 and 4. Police said all three children were unrestrained in the car.
The mother told police that she was involved in a road-rage incident with an adult man wearing a red shirt and driving a dark sedan. Police said she described the race of the alleged attacker but that information apparently has not been released to the public. She claimed that the driver pursued her while she attempted to lose him by driving into a neighborhood.
She parked along a street and took the children out of the car when “the aggressive vehicle returned and shot at them,” the affidavit says.
Lacravivonne took her child to Medical Dallas City hospital.
She posted on Facebook that “my baby took his last breath in my arms.” Her profile is no longer available.
The parents of a three-year-old boy fatally shot Monday morning in Dallas has been arrested on outstanding warrants and now face additional charges.https://t.co/4IonHU6X0E
— KABB FOX 29 (@KABBFOX29) March 31, 2022
Police said her story did not add up.
An autopsy revealed that the three-year-old’s injurieswere from close-range gunfire, which made a distance shooting an impossible claim.
Forensic analysis conducted on a firearm found on Jalexus Washington Sr. revealed that the gun was the weapon used in the shooting.
Jalexus Washington Sr. was arrested on a charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon and for outstanding traffic warrants. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department said he was released after posting $1,500 bond.
Police said that Lacravivonne was initially arrested on outstanding traffic warrants and charges of child endangerment and tampering with evidence.
The child endangerment charge stemmed from the finding that there were no child seats in the car and that the handgun in the glove compartment was determined to be within reach of the children. She was charged with tampering with evidence because she “concealed a handgun during the investigation,” according to police.
Washington’s bail was set at $25,000 and she was released before being rearrested on the manslaughter charge, police said.
Police said she has refused to speak with investigators. However, the father agreed to provide a statement.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said the Washingtons’ other children — ages 2, 4, 7 and 9 — have been placed with a relative.
The father of a Dallas 3-year-old who died after being shot in the head while riding in his mother's car is facing new charges. Jalexus Washington Sr. is accused of tampering with physical evidence. https://t.co/LFU6qNL3s2
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) April 7, 2022
Jalexus Washington Sr. alleged that he was working when the incident occurred.
DPD spokeswoman Kristin Lowman remarked before the manslaughter charge was filed:
“This is the death of a 3-year-old child, tragic, a lot of detectives working around the clock to determine what happened to this child and find the person or persons responsible for this death and find justice for this baby.“
But Lowman pointed out that Jalexus Washington Sr. was seen in possession of a firearm after the shooting. She said:
“During the investigation into the death of the 3-year-old, officers saw him with an unholstered weapon.”
Where’s Black Lives Matter? Family grieves after 16-month-old boy dies in ‘targeted attack’ as parents ate food in car
Posted by:Cynthia Van Gaasbeck|April 14, 2022
WEST PALM BEACH, FL –The family of a 16-month-old boy who wasshot and killedin West Palm Beach last week is seeking justice for his death.
Police said the shooting was a targeted attack.
Patrikia Robinson is overcome with grief from the violent death of her nephew, “Baby Kaleb.” Robinson said:
“He’s an energetic, happy baby that was taken. His mom and dad is hurting. Y’all took their only child.”
Robinson said Kaleb was known for his infectious smile that could light up a room. She said:
“We’re still trying to wrap our heads around why.”
Investigatorswith the West Palm Beach Police Department said the boy and his 20-year-old mother and father were sitting in a vehicle just before 6 p.m. on April 7 in an alley south of Fourth Street and west of Douglass Avenue. They were eating food in the car when at least one shooter approached the car and opened fire.
West Palm Beach police spokesman Mike Jachles said the father drove to St. Mary’s Medical Center with his injured family. He said:
“The driver of the car, the 20-year-old man, immediately drove the wounded woman and the child to a nearby hospital.”
The boy, who was sitting in the back seat of the car, was struck in the chest, his aunt said.
Police said that the mother, who does not want to be identified, was grazed by a bullet and was treated and later released. The father was not injured.
Taniyah Carter said her sister called her right after the shooting. Carter said:
“She was so focused on the baby. So she didn’t know she was shot. But the whole time she just kept screaming, ‘They shot my baby. They shot my baby.’ “
The gunman fled the scene and has not been located.
West Palm Beach police are now offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. Jachles said:
“Our detectives are determined to find the person or persons responsible for the killing of an innocent 16-month-old baby. No words can describe what that family must be going through.”
Police on Friday passed out flyers and spoke with drivers near Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Tamarind Avenue.
Jachles said the shooting was a targeted attack but could not release any further details, including a possible motive for the shooting. Jachles said:
“There is no threat to the neighborhood, per se. This was targeted. This was not a random attack. These people, or someone in the vehicle, was targeted.”
Neighborhood resident Geneva Thomas said she can’t understand why someone would shoot a baby. She said:
“We have a lot of kids out here be playing. That’s the only thing I’m worried about, too. These kids and my health. I don’t want to get shot by anybody and that’s why, from now on, I’m staying in my house.”
Deasia Baxtor, who also lives in the area, is worried about violence and now refuses to let her two kids play in the yard. She noted:
“We do a lot outside. I try to keep them outside, and now that they’re shooting right here, I don’t really like coming outside anymore.”
West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James released a statement Friday that reads in part:
“I was saddened to learn of the baby’s tragic death and the injuries to his mother which resulted from last night’s targeted shooting. My thoughts and prayers are with their family at this time. The murder of an innocent child is incomprehensible.”
Read more:https://t.co/1DjpaaKUiKhttps://t.co/vmr5HB7eJG
— WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12)April 12, 2022
The family is now forced to live without Baby Kaleb’s sweet smile because of senseless violence.
Francis Robinson, Kaleb’s grandmother, spoke of her inconceivable loss:
“Y’all took something I will never ever see again. It should’ve been me and not him.”
Patrikia Robinson said the family is in turmoil following the baby’s death. She said:
“We’re not sleeping, we’re not eating. We’re trying to get justice served. We’re hurt.”
Kaleb’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses. To donate,click here.
Below is the text of the GoFundMe account, which so far has raised $2,660 of the family’s $50,000 goal:
“On April 7, 2022 Our Family got a devastating call that Baby Kaleb & his parents was involved in a shooting while sitting in their car. Baby Kaleb & his mom was rushed to the hospital where doctors at the time preceded to work on Baby Kaleb & his mom injuries.
“On Friday April 8, 2022 the next day our worst fear happened; the devastating news that Baby Kaleb succumed to his injuries. Our Family lost a energetic, happy toddler to senseless gun violence. This tragedy is nothing no one could’ve ever imagine it truly put a hole in our Family & Friends hearts. Baby Kaleb was such a joy to everyone who he encountered.
“This is a very tough time for our family. This sudden tragedy we was not prepared for at all. We currently is reaching out and asking for any help that can be contributed towards our family to help lay our beloved Baby Kaleb to rest and also help assist his parents with medical expenses that has accured and relocation for their safety because this investigation is still ongoing.
“Our Family is very appreciative for all the prayers and assistance given so far towards us during this time. Please continue to keep us all lifted in your prayers; it is truly needed.
“Thank you all…#JusticeForBabyKaleb”
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the West Palm Beach Police Department at 561-822-1900 or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 800-458-TIPS.
Report: Little girl, 3, shot in the head by stray bullet and killed while watching television in her home
Sept. 9, 2021
ST. LOUIS, IL – According toreports, a three-year-old girl died after a stray bullet fired from outside her home came through the walls, hitting her in the head as she watched TV. The East St. Louis Police Department have since identified the young victim as Calyia Stringer.
East St. Louis Girl Shot While Sleeping Declared Brain Deadhttps://t.co/aC356xvMkK
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago)September 8, 2021
Investigators stated that the fatal shooting unfolded around 9 p.m. on the evening of September 5th in East St. Louis. The three-year-old girl was shot in the head while she was inside a residence in the Roosevelt Homes Public Housing Complex. Chief Perry Kendall said in a statement:
“This is an incident where she was innocently watching TV and hit by stray gunfire. I was on the scene as she was being carried out. It’s a tragedy to lose any child to gun violence.”
As of this writing, the shooter remains at large and the East St. Louis community is trying to come to grips with the sudden, heartbreaking tragedy.
The young child’s pastor was overcome with grief and devastated that the child was caught in the crossfire of the suspects and their intended targets. April Roby Bell, pastor of Calvary Church Cahokia, said:
“Calyia was a ball of joy. Fun and lovable, happy and a big fan of Peppa Pig. I watched her grow up as an infant until a toddler. Fun, lovable, full of joy. It was never a dull moment around her.”
The pastor added:
“This is tragic, not just for East St. Louis, but for the surrounding areas too. We support her and encourage the family, and we want them to know that they are not alone. We are asking the community of East St. Louis to stand with us in prayer as we continue to hold this family up.”
3-year-old East St. Louis girl shot while sleeping, declared brain deadhttps://t.co/jG1KXyeqBupic.twitter.com/DiOTdENp05
— Eyewitness News WTVO/WQRF (@MyStateline)September 8, 2021
In a separate incident just a few days later, a 16-year-old wasshot to deathin East St. Louis. According to authorities, Troy Williams was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:50 a.m. He was reportedly shot at Washington Avenue and 84th Street.
As of this writing, police have not identified any suspects or persons of interest. Perry said in a statement:
“We do not know the motive for the shooting and we do not have anyone in custody. The investigation is ongoing.”
In another incident, afour-year-old Alabama boy diedin Chicago just days after being shot while getting his hair braided at a beautician’s home. The young boy has since been identified as Mychal Moultry Jr.
Mychal and his mother were in Chicago for the weekend to visit the boy’s father. The preschooler was getting braids inside the apartment of a beautician in the Woodlawn section of the city around 9 p.m. when gunfire erupted outside. Two bullets came crashing through a window, hitting him.
4-Year-Old Boy Killed by Stray Bullet in Chicago While Getting Hair Braidedhttps://t.co/oK3Dpu68jl
— SwaggyTitusVille Matthews, TJ (@SwaggyTitusVil1)September 8, 2021
Angela Gregg, Mychal’s mother, said her son was a gifted boy, adding:
“They murdered my baby. We don’t know what it is or what it’s not, but we just know our baby is not supposed to lose his life at 4 years old and somebody needs to step up and say something. The police don’t know anything yet because no one is talking. No one is coming forward.”
She added:
“People aren’t answering their doors and the people that are answering their doors are saying they don’t know anything … Somebody in Chicago knows something.”
—
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