Grandmother, grandson charged after teen fatally shot during snow day in Detroit

Teen accused of pulling trigger charged as juvenile

A Detroit woman and her grandson were charged Wednesday morning in connection with the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy in a home on Detroit's west side during a snow day.

Lise Cox, 58, is charged along with her 13-year-old grandson, who is accused of pulling the trigger. He is charged as a juvenile. 

The Wayne County Prosecutor's office released this information:

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Lise Cox, 58 ((8/2/1958), of Detroit in connection with the fatal shooting of her 13-year-old Emarjae Watkins.  On Monday, December 12, 2016, at approximately 8:45 a.m. Ms. Cox went to work, leaving her two grandsons ages, 13 and 15 in her home in the 4300 block of Tireman. It is alleged that Ms. Cox kept a handgun on the floor underneath the dresser in her bedroom and that she was aware that both of her grandsons knew the location of the weapon and the ammunition.

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on the same day Emarjae and another boy came over to Ms. Cox’s house.  It is alleged that while her 13-year-old grandson was playing with the gun it discharged fatally striking Emarjae in the back. Emarjae was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounce dead on arrival.

On Tuesday, December 13, 2016, Ms. Cox’s 13-year-old grandson was charged as a juvenile respondent with: Manslaughter – Death by Weapon Aimed with Intent but Without Malice; Felony Firearm; and Careless Discharge Causing Injury or Death.

Today Ms. Cox has been charged with one count of Involuntary Manslaughter (Grossly negligent storage / maintenance of the handgun, resulting in Emarjae’s death); two counts of Child Abuse Second Degree  (Knowingly committing an act likely to cause serious physical harm. One count for each grandson.); and Felony Firearm.  

Authorities performed CPR on the victim at the scene, but he was pronounced dead at Henry Ford Hospital.

If not for the heavy snowfall, the boys would have been in school, but class was canceled for Monday due to the winter storm.

Two of the boys live in the home with their grandmother, police said.

INLINEINLINE

Stay with Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com for updates.

Sign up for ClickOnDetroit Email Newsletters (click here) for more stories like this.


About the Authors:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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.