On October 27, 2016, a tragedy unfolded in a townhouse located in the 1800 block of Topping Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, involving the death of 3-year-old Jermone L. Green. The young boy was inside the residence during the morning hours when he was struck by a single gunshot. Emergency responders rushed to the scene following the report of the shooting and attempted to revive the child, but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and Jermone succumbed to his injuries.
The incident devastated the family, who had only moved into the home about a month prior to the fatal event.
The investigation led by Kansas City police revealed that the shooting was accidental and involved Jermone's 5-year-old brother. Detectives determined that the older sibling had climbed onto a footstool in the kitchen to reach an upper cabinet above the sink, reportedly searching for bread. Inside that cabinet, the child discovered a loaded handgun. While handling the weapon, the 5-year-old unintentionally discharged it, striking his younger brother. Several adults were present in the home at the time of the discharge, but the sequence of events happened quickly and out of their immediate line of sight.
Following a review of the evidence, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, had to determine whether criminal charges were warranted against the adults in the home for endangering the welfare of a child. In December 2016, nearly two months after the death, the prosecutor announced that no charges would be filed. The investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove criminal recklessness or negligence, as the firearm had been stored in a high cabinet that was generally considered out of the reach of young children. The authorities viewed the 5-year-old's ability to access the weapon as an unforeseen and tragic set of circumstances rather than a criminal act.
In the wake of the incident, family members expressed their grief and shock publicly. Jermone's grandfather, Clifford Martin, voiced his heartbreak and frustration, emphasizing the devastating impact of accessible firearms in the home. He described the event as a nightmare that the family was ill-prepared to handle, noting that his grandson never got a chance to experience life. The community and relatives rallied to support the grieving family, including the 5-year-old brother, through online fundraising efforts to cover funeral expenses and assist with their living situation during the difficult period of mourning.
