Crime
10-Year-Old Baltimore Girl Dies After Accidental Shooting, Grandmother Faces Charges
Following the shooting, Mitchell was taken into custody and now faces multiple firearms-related charges.
BALTIMORE, MD – A 10-year-old girl has died after accidentally shooting herself in the head with a stolen firearm she found at her grandmother’s home, Baltimore police confirmed Wednesday.
The victim, E’vaa Sewell, was critically injured in the incident, which occurred on Saturday, January 27, in the 3500 block of Ingleside Avenue in Northwest Baltimore’s Pimlico neighborhood.
According to investigators, Sewell gained access to the unsecured firearm while her grandmother, 51-year-old Alethea Mitchell, was at work.
She accidentally discharged the weapon, causing fatal injuries.
Sewell was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital in critical condition, but despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday.
Following the shooting, Mitchell was taken into custody and now faces multiple firearms-related charges.
Court records reveal that the handgun was reported stolen in a 2017 burglary in North Carolina. Mitchell, who has prior drug and burglary convictions, is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
During her initial court appearance on Monday, a judge denied her bail, citing evidence that she poses a danger to the community.
Charging documents indicate that upon discovering her injured granddaughter, Mitchell’s first action was to hide the firearm rather than immediately seek help.
According to investigators, Mitchell claimed the gun belonged to her ex-boyfriend. However, due to her criminal record, she was not legally allowed to have a firearm in her possession.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley confirmed that officers were called to the scene at approximately 3:16 p.m. on Saturday.
“All indications are the young lady got ahold of a weapon that was unsecured and shot herself,” Worley stated.
Neighbors expressed grief over the tragedy, with one resident describing the situation as “heartbreaking.” A spokesperson for Baltimore City Schools confirmed that E’vaa was a student at Carter Elementary/Middle School.
The investigation remains ongoing.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A San Jose police officer was shot and injured while investigating an armed carjacking in the downtown area on Wednesday, according to the San Jose Police Department (SJPD).
Authorities said the incident unfolded near the downtown core, close to major roadways including Highway 87 and the Julian Street exit.
Preliminary information indicates the suspect was involved in a series of violent events spanning multiple jurisdictions prior to the shooting.
Investigators believe the suspect initially stole a white Honda in Hollister, after abandoning a green Chevrolet Corvette.
During the course of the incident, the suspect allegedly fired shots at pursuing law enforcement officers, prompting a high-speed pursuit.
Police said the chase continued northbound on U.S. Highway 101, with speeds reportedly exceeding 100 miles per hour, traveling from Gilroy to San Jose. The pursuit ultimately led officers into the downtown area, where the officer-involved shooting occurred.
SJPD confirmed that a sworn department member was struck by gunfire and was transported to a local hospital. The officer’s condition has not been publicly disclosed at this time.
In a statement released on social media, the department said:
“SJPD is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in downtown San Jose related to an armed carjacking. An SJPD sworn Department member has been shot and transported to a local hospital. This is an active and ongoing investigation, and PIOs will share more information as it becomes available.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, police had not confirmed whether any suspects were in custody, nor had they indicated whether any civilians were injured during the incident.
The shooting took place in an area that includes government buildings, businesses, and major transit hubs, leading to temporary traffic disruptions and a heightened police presence.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional details are expected to be released by authorities as more information becomes available.