Man charged after 3-year-old shoots self in Clinton Township with gun found on ground

Lamonte Johnson charged with second-degree murder

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A 29-year-old man was charged in connection to the death of a 3-year-old boy fatally shot himself with a gun that was dropped on the ground in Clinton Township.

Lamonte Odell Johnson, of Mount Clemens, is charged with second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and felony firearms violations.

Johnson was arraigned Friday. His bond was set at $1 million.

“He was alerted to the fact that the child had a weapon in his hand but did nothing,” the prosecution said.

Police said Johnson, who goes by the street name "Bop," was taken into custody at a gas station on Detroit's west side. He was arrested by the Macomb County FBI Violent Crimes Task Force.

Johnson and three others, who were found in a white Chevy Cobalt, were detained by authorities, police said. Detroit police and FBI agents were both at the scene.

3-year-old boy killed

The boy, Cameron Dillard, fatally shot himself Tuesday afternoon after police said he found a gun that had been dropped on the ground.

The shooting happened around 1 p.m. at the Newport Arms apartment complex on Lotus Street.

Police said Cameron was playing with a group of children with his mother nearby when his mother heard a shot and noticed he had fallen down. Investigators said Cameron had found a handgun on the ground and accidentally fired it, striking himself.

The family took him to McLaren Macomb Hospital. Police said he died at the hospital.

"Cameron Dillard was taken from us at such a tender age," prosecutor Eric J. Smith said. "Though we share in the heartbreak, nothing we do can bring this child back to us. But we can undertake to hold accountable those responsible for this grievous loss of life. Perhaps this will bring some measure of justice for those who loved Cameron so dearly, and prevent incidents like this from taking place in the future."

The family has set up a GoFundMe page, which you can visit by clicking here.

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About the Authors:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.