A Michigan man is facing charges related to the tragic incident in which a 2-year-old fatally shot himself inside a car, followed by the subsequent destruction of the vehicle, according to federal prosecutors on Wednesday.
Avis Damone Coward has been indicted by a grand jury on several counts, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to tamper with evidence, and tampering with evidence, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.
The incident occurred on October 24 when the child accidentally shot himself while the vehicle was parked at a Lansing gas station. Coward allegedly entrusted the child to someone else who then took the boy to the gas station. Following the incident, Coward reportedly retrieved his firearm, used his fist to break the window through which the bullet had exited, and left the scene. Subsequently, the SUV was discovered burned in a field.
Coward pleaded not guilty to all charges during the court appearance on Wednesday, according to his attorney, Heath Lynch. Lynch emphasized that while the child’s shooting was a tragic event, Coward deserves the presumption of innocence. He urged a fair process, highlighting the need to avoid hasty judgments, especially given the intense emotions surrounding the loss of a child.
In addition to Coward, the child’s mother, 26-year-old Emma Huver, is also facing federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, along with state charges, including involuntary manslaughter. Another individual, Gina Schieberl, aged 26, is also federally charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence and tampering with evidence.
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The incident sheds light on the broader issue of firearm-related fatalities among children and teenagers. Recent studies have shown an alarming increase in firearm deaths among this demographic, making it a significant public health concern. Dr. Chethan Sathya, a pediatric trauma surgeon and lead author of a study analyzing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, underscored the severity of the issue, calling firearm deaths “undoubtedly one of our chief public health crises in this country.”