Wichita, KS – A 25-year-old Kansas woman has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after a 4-year-old child playing with her gun accidentally shot and killed a 7-year-old boy while she was drinking tequila with friends. Prosecutors say the tragedy could have been prevented if the gun had not been left unattended.
The Incident: Child Found Fatally Shot While Adults Drank Outside
The fatal shooting took place on March 15 at an apartment complex in the Planeview neighborhood of Wichita, where Tasha Dillard, 25, was drinking with friends while several children played nearby. According to court documents, Dillard and a group of adults were in her car taking tequila shots, leaving the seven children inside her apartment unsupervised.
Just ten minutes later, a child came running out of the apartment yelling, “Take him to the hospital!” One woman rushed inside and found 7-year-old Davion Gunter bleeding from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The woman carried Davion outside and held him until first responders arrived. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. Investigators later determined that a 4-year-old child had gotten hold of Dillard’s gun and accidentally shot Davion.
Investigation and Evidence: Gun Left Accessible to Children
Investigators discovered that Dillard initially denied owning any firearms, claiming she had no gun in the apartment. However, after further questioning, she admitted that she had recently purchased a firearm and had left it on the counter behind her purse, where it was visible and within reach of the children.
According to the court documents, Dillard told police that a friend had earlier taken a Snapchat video with the gun, calling it “cute,” and left it out afterward. She later said she had forgotten to put it away safely.
Authorities confirmed that the gun was left loaded and unattended in the apartment. When the children began playing, one of them — just 4 years old — discovered the weapon and fired a shot that struck Davion in the chest.
The shooting was ruled a homicide, and Dillard was taken into custody after an extensive investigation by the Wichita Police Department.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Dillard was originally charged with first-degree murder and multiple counts of child endangerment, but in September 2024, she entered a plea agreement, admitting guilt to involuntary manslaughter and six counts of aggravated child endangerment.
During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, a Sedgwick County judge sentenced Dillard to 37 months in prison — equivalent to three years and one month — followed by two years of post-release supervision.
Her attorneys requested a lower sentence than the state’s minimum, citing remorse and cooperation with authorities. The judge granted the request but noted that her negligence directly led to a child’s death.
“This tragedy should serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of irresponsible gun ownership,” the judge said during the hearing.
Reactions and Community Response
The Planeview community has been deeply affected by the incident, with residents and child-safety advocates calling for greater awareness of firearm responsibility and safe storage laws.
Child safety experts emphasize that leaving loaded guns within reach of children is one of the leading causes of accidental child shootings in the U.S. According to national data, hundreds of unintentional shootings by minors occur each year, many under circumstances similar to this case.
Law enforcement officials in Wichita have renewed efforts to promote gun safety education and responsible storage practices, urging gun owners to use trigger locks and safes to prevent further tragedies.
“We can’t undo what happened to Davion,” a police spokesperson said, “but we can work to make sure no other family has to endure this kind of pain.”
Background Context: Negligence and Gun Safety Laws
Under Kansas law, involuntary manslaughter applies when a death occurs due to reckless behavior or criminal negligence. Leaving a firearm unsecured around children can constitute aggravated child endangerment, which carries serious penalties even without intent to harm.
Gun safety advocates have long pushed for stronger child-access prevention laws in Kansas, noting that current statutes largely rely on voluntary compliance and education rather than legal enforcement.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Tasha Dillard brings a tragic chapter to a close, but it also highlights the devastating consequences of leaving firearms unsecured. As she begins her prison term, the family of 7-year-old Davion Gunter continues to mourn the loss of a life cut short by negligence — a reminder that every gun owner bears responsibility for the safety of the children around them.
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