Full Breakdown
10-Year-Old Charged with First-Degree Murder After Infant Shooting in St. Louis
7/2/2026, 1:14:11 AM
Tragic Shooting and Juvenile Murder Charge
On June 26, 2026, St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers responded to a residence at the 8400 block of North Broadway in the city’s Baden neighborhood. Inside, they found 7-month-old Kiyomi Parker with a gunshot wound. She was rushed to a local hospital and later pronounced dead. A 10-year-old male was taken into custody and, on June 27, charged with first-degree murder in juvenile court. The boy’s identity has not been released because he is a minor.
Background: Juvenile Law and Firearm-Storage Concerns
Missouri statutes (Section 211.071 RSMo) prohibit juveniles under age 12 from being certified to stand trial as adults, regardless of the offense. Consequently, the case proceeds exclusively in the juvenile system, where a custodial term can extend up to 11 years, until the offender reaches age 21. Investigators linked the firearm to the infant’s father, who stored the gun beneath a mattress, raising state-wide concerns about unsecured weapons in homes with children.
Key Individuals
- Kiyomi Parker – 7-month-old victim.
- Unnamed 10-year-old boy – Accused shooter; placed in protective custody of the Missouri Children’s Division and undergoing psychiatric evaluation.
- Ca’Marion Pawnell – 19-year-old father; arrested on charges that include second-degree murder, first-degree child endangerment, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
- Joel Currier – Spokesperson for the 22nd Judicial Circuit’s Juvenile Division.
- Bill Prince – President, Missouri Juvenile Justice Association.
- St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) – Lead investigative agency.
Timeline of Key Events
- June 26, 2026 (~4 p.m.) – Shooting reported; officers locate Kiyomi Parker and transport her to a hospital.
- June 27 – Juvenile court files first-degree murder charge against the 10-year-old.
- June 28 – Ca’Marion Pawnell arrested on firearm-related charges.
- June 29 – Court spokesperson Joel Currier releases a detailed statement on the case.
Data & Statistics
- The 10-year-old is reported as the youngest person ever charged with murder in Missouri.
- Missouri law requires juveniles to be at least 12 years old for adult certification, limiting the maximum custodial period to 11 years for this case.
- The firearm was stored under a mattress in a bedroom, a location identified by both the child and the father.
Official Statements & Responses
Court spokesperson Joel Currier confirmed that the juvenile division charged the boy with first-degree murder, placed him in protective custody, and arranged psychiatric evaluation, emphasizing that the offender cannot be certified as an adult under current law. Bill Prince expressed surprise at the first-degree murder charge, noting the lack of a clear premeditation element. The SLMPD described the investigation as a joint effort between homicide and child-abuse detectives, citing witness testimony that the boy retrieved the gun and fired it.
Criticism & Opposition
Prince’s remarks highlight a broader debate about applying severe homicide statutes to children under 12, suggesting that the premeditation requirement for first-degree murder may be difficult to establish in such cases. The incident has also prompted calls from child-advocacy groups for stricter firearm-storage regulations, though no specific organization is quoted in the sources.
On-the-Ground Reports
Witnesses reported that the 10-year-old knew the gun’s location, had previously removed it, and shot the infant in the head. Police officers performed a “scoop and go,” providing life-saving measures en route to the hospital. Pawnell admitted the weapon belonged to him and that he stored it beneath the mattress.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise charges filed against Pawnell; some list second-degree murder and child endangerment, while others describe felony charges for leaving a loaded firearm accessible. The relationship between the father and the 10-year-old has not been clarified, and authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I cannot recall where the premeditation, first-degree element has been there,” — Bill Prince, President, Missouri Juvenile Justice Association
- “The 22nd Judicial Circuit’s Juvenile Division has charged a 10-year-old male with first-degree murder in the June 26, 2026, shooting death of the juvenile’s 7-month-old niece.” — Joel Currier, 22nd Judicial Circuit Spokesperson
- “The 10-year-old was also ordered to be placed in the protective custody of Missouri Children’s Division and is currently at a hospital where he is being psychiatrically evaluated.” — Joel Currier
- “As he is under 12 years old, the juvenile will not be subject to certification proceedings and therefore cannot be certified to be tried as an adult.” — Joel Currier
- “The St. Louis Family Court-Juvenile Division’s mission is to administer justice with compassion, dignity and respect while promoting child protection, safe communities and youth competency while holding youths accountable, repairing harm to victims and strengthening families.” — Joel Currier
What’s Next
The juvenile case will continue in St. Louis Family Court-Juvenile Division, where a judge may impose a sentence of up to 11 years. Pawnell remains detained without bond pending trial on homicide and child-endangerment charges. Lawmakers and child-safety advocates are expected to reference the case in upcoming discussions of firearm-storage policies and juvenile sentencing reforms.
