Memphis, TN (abc24.com)
At a press conference in downtown Memphis on Saturday, February 23rd, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich announced that the Shelby County Grand Jury has indicted Jessica Irene Johnson and Clarence William Coleman on charges involving the fatal shooting of 4 year-old Joshua William Johnson.
The child died from a gunshot wound on February 11th, 2013. According to an investigation conducted by the Memphis Police Department, Jessica Johnson, the child's mother and owner of the gun, was at home asleep when the incident occurred. Her boyfriend, co-defendant Clarence Coleman, had put the gun inside a shoe box and left it in an easily accessible location. The child found the loaded handgun and shot himself.
Jessica Johnson is charged with reckless homicide and Clarence Coleman is charged with reckless endangerment.
The District Attorney's office urges gun owners to get gun locks. Free gun safety kits are available at each of the nine MPD precincts. These kits include a gun lock as well as gun safety materials.
