A 10-year-old boy who was critically injured in a shooting earlier this week has died, and his mother is now facing a murder charge in connection with the incident, according to authorities.
Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen confirmed that De’Angelo Roberson was pronounced dead at 11:46 a.m. Friday at Wellstar MCG Health. An autopsy has been scheduled as part of the ongoing investigation.
The child had been hospitalized in critical condition since Tuesday after being shot outside a convenience store in the 1200 block of Gordon Highway.
Investigators say the person who pulled the trigger was the victim’s 4-year-old sister.
According to authorities, the children’s mother, 27-year-old Deasia Lexis Williams, had gone inside the Super Express store around 2:16 p.m., leaving her three children—ages 10, 9, and 4—unattended inside a vehicle. Officials allege that Williams left a firearm inside her purse, knowing the children could access it.
While inside the vehicle, investigators say the 4-year-old gained access to the weapon. The firearm discharged, striking De’Angelo in the head. A 9-year-old child who was also in the vehicle was not physically injured.
Williams was taken into custody at the scene and initially charged with three counts of cruelty to children in the second degree. She has since been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
Authorities say the case has raised serious concerns about firearm safety and child supervision. Officials also noted that Williams had a prior gun-related incident in 2021, when she was shot in the leg during a struggle over a firearm at a motel while a young child was present. She was previously charged with reckless conduct in that case, though the charge was later dismissed.
The Georgia Department of Family and Children Services has been notified and is assisting in the ongoing investigation as authorities continue to review the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
