Police say child younger than 5 fired shot that killed 2-year-old playmate
By Leah Thorsen
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/01/2007
VENICE — Three children, all younger than 5, were alone in a room here in the middle of the night when one found a loaded revolver. Police said that little boy picked up the gun and somehow fired the shot that killed a 2-year-old girl.
The gun belonged to Anthony Wise, a convicted drug dealer and ex-boyfriend of the girl's mother, Kimberly Terrell, 24, authorities said Wednesday.
Wise was visiting Terrell at her apartment in the Bissell public housing complex when the boy got Wise's gun about 12:10 a.m. Monday, said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. James Morrisey. He didn't have it long before it fired, shooting Timberlyn Terrell in the head.
"It happened very quickly," Morrisey said, though police aren't sure how the child was able to fire the weapon.
Timberlyn died 29 hours later at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis.
On Wednesday, Wise, 23, was charged with three felonies in connection with the death: endangering the life of a child, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and obstructing justice.
Wise was one of three adults in another room when the shooting occurred, Morrisey said.
He left the apartment after the shooting. Authorities launched a search, releasing his name and picture and calling him a witness. He surrendered Tuesday.
The other adults in the apartment were Timberlyn's mother and a man identified as Anthony Borney, 33, the Madison County state's attorney's office said. Charges are not likely to be filed against either one, Morrisey said. He described Wise and Borney as acquaintances.
Police are investigating how Wise got the gun. His past felony convictions include fleeing police and selling cocaine, court records show. Felons cannot legally own guns.
Court documents allege that Wise, of the 100 block of Carver Street in Madison, concealed evidence by taking the gun, described only as a revolver, from the apartment. Police found the gun Tuesday, Morrisey said.
He would not release the exact age of the boy who shot the gun. He said the boy was related to Timberlyn, but was not a sibling. The other child in the room also was a relative of the girl.
Scott Pieper, president of the Bench Rest Rifle Club in Wright City and a former Lincoln County sheriff's deputy, said he couldn't rule out the possibility that a child that young could pull a pistol's trigger. "I'd say it's definitely possible," Pieper said.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services also is investigating, spokesman Kendall Marlowe said. He said no other children live in the home and that the state agency had not had any previous contact with the family.
Wise remained in custody at the Madison County Jail late Wednesday in lieu of $75,000 bail. If convicted of all three charges, he could face up to 27 years in prison.
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