After investigators discovered that the gun was not properly stored in her home, a Florida mother accused of shooting and killing her son, 2 years old, is facing manslaughter accusations.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina stated that “these tragedies can be prevented 100 percent.” Gun owners who fail to secure their guns are “just one second away” from one of these tragedies, Mina said.
The shooting occurred on May 26th when sheriff’s deputies received a 911 call about a shooting. They were called to Reggie Mabry’s east Orlando home by Marie Ayala and their three children, ranging in age from five months to five.
Mina stated that Ayala was performing CPR on her husband who had been shot. After first responders transported Mabry to a local hospital, however, he was declared dead.
Mina stated that it was initially believed that the suicide could have been caused by Mina.
Mabry was shot in the back by homicide detectives at the hospital. The sheriff stated that Mabry was shot in the back by his five-year old brother.
Mina stated that the gun was found in a room Mina shared with her children. It was easily accessible, even for a two-year old.
Investigators discovered that Ayala as well as Mabry had been convicted felons and therefore barred from owning a firearm. The sheriff didn’t provide any explanation as to how the felons obtained the gun.
Florida law requires that loaded firearms be kept in a locked box, similar location, or disabled by a trigger lock if they are in an area where children under 16 could reach them.
Mina stated, “Now these young kids have effectively lost both their parents,” Their father is dead. Their mother is currently in prison and their young child must live with the knowledge that he killed his father.
Mina also pointed out that Mabry and Mina were on probation for child neglect offenses and narcotics offenses when he died.
Ayala, 28 years old, now faces multiple charges including manslaughter through culpable neglect, possession of ammunition and firearms by a felon and violating her probation.
