DALLAS, TX - A Texas mother’s six-year-old daughter was shot and killed while she was simultaneously finalizing the funeral for her 14-year-old son.
Dallas police have made one arrest in the deadly shooting in Old East Dallas.
According to Dallas PD the child, identified as Ah ‘Laynah Modica-Ross, was a victim of a shooting that occurred at her home on Fitzhugh Avenue in Dallas on Wednesday, January 10th. She was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The circumstances around the shooting are unclear, and police have yet to release any additional details. However, according to police, 19-year-old Damariya Sowels was detained and charged with tampering with evidence. He also had warrants for a separate case.
Murder Suspect Dallas PD
(Credit: Dallas PD)
Sowels told investigators that he bought two handguns, including one MAC-10, into the home. He admitted to placing the gun on top of a game system.
Officials claimed Sowels attempted to hide the weapons inside a backpack in the garage, which police ultimately found during their investigation.
Ross’ death comes shortly after the recent passing of her brother who also died of a gunshot wound.
“It’s a nightmare. We’re living in a nightmare right now,” the sibling’s grandfather, Michael Key said. “Dealing with the loss of two grandbabies back-to-back. It’s hard right now, especially this little one. This was my heart.”
Their mother, Brittney, found out about the incident while planning the funeral for her son, Ah’bralen Rider, who was fatally wounded on Dec. 29. A teen was taken into custody in connection to his death.
“My daughter was out at Golden Gate Funeral Home getting my 14-year-old grandson dressed for a burial we’re going to have Saturday,” Key added. “She got a call from one of the kids here, and she dropped everything and flew here.”
Key said that Sowels, who police claimed also had a Glock 40 inside the bag, was his grandson’s friend. During an interview with, Brittney backed Sowels contention saying that he had the weapons in his possession for “protection” after receiving threats following Ah’bralen’s death. She also emphasized that Sowels didn’t intend to hurt her kids.
Now, the family is trying to figure out how to combine the sibling’s funerals while grappling with emotional turmoil. They created a GoFundMe to assist with the cost of the memorials and raised nearly $6,000 as of Tuesday.
Key told the news station that the gun shouldn’t have been in the home in the first place.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: