FAYETTE COUNTY, TN -- Charges have been filed in relation to the accidental shooting death of 9-year-old Dante Boyd in Somerville yesterday afternoon.
Boyd’s stepfather Willie Dee Allen has been charged with Unlawful Carrying or Possession of a Weapon. Allen is a convicted felon which prohibits him from owning or possession a firearm.
According to affidavits filed by Fayette County Detectives, Boyd and his 8-year-old stepbrother returned home from school yesterday afternoon. At that time Allen told the boys to watch their one-year-old brother and that he would be back in a minute. After Allen had left the residence, Boyd pulled a 9mm handgun from beneath the couch in the living room and began playing with it. According to the 8-year-old, the boy pulled the trigger resulting in a single gunshot to the chest.
First responders and paramedics arrived and performed CPR but were unable to revive Boyd. He was pronounced dead at Methodist Fayette Hospital Emergency Room a short time later.
According to the affidavit, Allen admitted to detectives that he was the owner of the handgun. Allen is currently on probation for narcotics charges. His past history includes possession of schedule 2 (10/08), manufacturing/delivering controlled substances (10/08), manufacturing/delivering controlled substances (1/08), tampering with evidence (1/08), violation of probation (10/05), resisting arrest (10/05), possession of schedule 2 (1/01), evading arrest (12/99).
