11-year-old boy killed by juvenile relative; Police investigating as accidental shooting

DAYTON — An 11-year-old boy was shot and killed by an 11-year-old family member at a home in Dayton Wednesday night in what police are investigating as an accidental shooting.

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Shamyrion Alexander, 11, of Dayton was identified as the boy shot and killed in the incident, Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger said in a media release Thursday. His cause and manner of death were still under investigation, Harshbarger said. Previously, police told News Center 7 the victim was 12, however, Harshbarger’s release updated his age to 11.

Dayton police held a media availability Thursday afternoon with updates on the shooting in the 1000 block of Randolph Street around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene, Dayton police Lt. Jason Hall said Thursday.

Hall said the initial investigation found juveniles in the home “gained access” to a handgun. The 11-year-old relative fired at least one shot from a .40 caliber handgun, hitting Alexander.

Hall did not say how many shots were fired in total.

Hall said police are still in the early parts of the investigation and were still working to determine how the juveniles came into possession of the gun. The weapon used in the incident was recovered by officers during the investigation Wednesday night.

Police are also still working to determine ownership of the gun that was used in the shooting, Hall said.

“It is a huge concern when young people gain access to firearms. Obviously, we see the tragic result that can occur,” Hall said.

Multiple people were interviewed after the shooting but no arrests have been made. Hall said charges could come from the investigation and police will hand over their findings to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office upon completion of the investigation.

In a 911 call obtained by a records request by News Center 7, a caller who said she lived about a block away said she saw a child run out of the house and was asking for help.

“There’s a little boy outside hollerin’ he said that someone shot themselves,” the caller said. “He’s outside hollerin’ he said he needs some help because someone just got shot.”

In a second call, the same caller said she heard people say someone was dead inside the house.

“This is my second call, but I hear them down there saying someone inside is dead,” the caller said. “They down there talking about getting these guns out and I don’t know.”

“All I hear ‘em saying is that somebody is dead.”

We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.

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