Pontiac man sentenced for 14-year-old cousin's fatal shooting

Damari Mahone says he asked Yaharre Stennis to move gun

Damari Mahone at his sentencing on Oct. 16, 2018. (WDIV)

PONTIAC, Mich. – A Pontiac man has been sentenced to 6 to 15 years in prison for the fatal shooting of his 14-year-old cousin on July 9. 

Damari Edward Mahone, 20, of Pontiac, was taken into custody after the accidental shooting at a home on Willard Street, near Auburn Avenue and Paddock Street. His cousin, Yaharre Stennis, was killed about 2:30 a.m. that day. 

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Deputies said someone inside the home had a gun under his mattress. Mahone asked the 14-year old to move it from the bed to another location in the home. He told detectives the gun went off accidentally, hitting the 14-year old in the chest.

Mahone is charged with one count of delivering/manufacturing a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and involuntary manslaughter. Officials said he has no previous criminal history.

He was scheduled to go to trial in October but entered a plea of no contest to charges including involuntary manslaughter. 

Neighbors said the victim was a student at Pontiac Middle School. 

Damari Mahone was charged in an accidental shooting in Pontiac. (WDIV)