27 December 2023 , 10:52
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A 23-year-old mum of two has been gunned down following a row over presents.
Abrielle Baldwin was killed in Florida on Christmas Eve at her grandma's home in Largo, Florida. Police believe it was her 14-year-old brother Damarcus Coley who shot her. The boy was then in turn shot by their 15-year-old sibling, Darcus.
Darcus then allegedly fled the scene and called their mum. The two brothers have now both had murder-related charges levelled at them, and the state is considering trying them as adults.
Abrielle and Damarcus were rushed to hospital but Abrielle sadly died. The argument started after the siblings went shopping with their mum, Joyce, and Abrielle's two boys, aged six and 11 months.
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Emergency services at the scene (youtube/@WFLA News Channel 8)After returning to their grandma's house in Largo, they began arguing with the 15-year-old saying that Damarcus was getting more than him.
The younger brother allegedly pulled out a handgun and threatened to shoot his brother in the head.
"The fact that you get two teenagers arguing over presents - a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old - that happens," said Bob Gualtieri, the sheriff of Pinellas County. "But not with guns."
After the initial argument, the siblings' uncle managed to remove Damarcus from the home. His sister then confronted him outside as she carried her 11-month-old son in a baby carrier.
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Damarcus has been accused of fatally shooting his sister (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)
Darcus has been charged with shooting his brother (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)In audio captured by a neighbour's camera, Abrielle can be heard saying: "You all need to leave that stuff alone. Why are you trying to start it? It's Christmas."
Sheriff Gualtieri continued: "Damarcus then began arguing with Abrielle and used some very derogatory language — I won't repeat it all — and all kinds of profanity.
"He was calling her a w***e and all kinds of other stuff, and stated that he was going to shoot her and that he was going to shoot the baby, too."
It was then that Damarcus allegedly shot his sister in the chest. Darcus then ran out the house and shot Damarcus.
With one sibling killed and two facing lengthy jail sentences the family has been devastated (youtube/@WFLA News Channel 8)Darcus fled the scene, throwing his gun into a nearby yard and contacting his mum, deputies said.
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He was later taken to a mental health facility due to and is expected to be transferred to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center.
Damarcus Coley faces charges of first-degree murder, child abuse and delinquent in possession of a firearm, and may be charged as an adult.
His 15-year-old brother faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.
Sheriff Gualtieri said: "Both Damarcus and Darcus carried guns all the time. They routinely carried firearms on them.
"People knew it. That's what they did."
He added: "This is what happens when you've got young delinquents and they carry guns.
"They get upset, they don't know how to handle stuff, so they just pick up their guns and start shooting each other."
Both brothers were well known to police.
Damarcus was first arrested at 12 and has previously been charged with vehicle theft, battery on a school employee and battery on a law enforcement officer, Gualtieri said.
Both brothers were arrested in May for multiple car burglaries. The sheriff added: "The problem is, you've got way too many kids out there with way too many guns."
The sheriff explained he hopes the charges against the two children will deter others.
"These kids need to get locked up," Gualtieri said. "Send a message."