Girl, 4, shot dead by woman who was teaching her 'firearm safety'

31 August 2023 , 13:57

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Evangeline Gunter, 4, was pronounced dead after being shot in the chest (Image: Facebook)

A four-year-old girl was shot dead by woman who was teaching her firearm safety, it is alleged.

Breanna Gayle Runions, 25, was arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Evangeline Gunter in the chest on Sunday in Rockwood, Tennessee.

Runions was arrested Sunday and charged with felony murder and aggravated child abuse in the death of the infant, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

She told investigators she was trying to demonstrate gun safety when she pulled the trigger, according to an arrest warrant. Runions’ girlfriend and another child in the home said the children were being punished that day for not following rules, according to warrant.

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25-year-old Breanna Gayle Runions was arrested after the death (Roane County jail)

Runions brought out the gun, removed the magazine, called the 4-year-old over to her and then shot her in the chest, the warrant said. The girlfriend and other child were in the same room but didn’t witness the shooting, officials said.

Although they sought medical help immediately, the girl was pronounced dead at Roane Medical Center, officials said. The girl’s mother, Josie Gunter, told WBIR-TV that her daughter lived at the house because of a court decision.

District Attorney General Russell Johnson told news outlets that he directed police to contact the Department of Children’s Services about the other child in the home. Runions waived her right to a bond hearing on Tuesday and a status hearing was set for Sept. 19, Johnson said.

Johnson said Runions’ case was appointed to the public defender’s office, which didn’t immediately respond to a Wednesday message seeking comment.

Lucy Williamson