In a heartbreaking incident just a week before Christmas Eve in Baltimore, Maryland, a two-year-old Black female named Charlee Teyana Gamble lost her life. On the evening of December 17, 2023, Charlee was brought to a local hospital with a single, fatal gunshot wound to the head. Despite the efforts of medical staff, she was pronounced deceased at 8:14 p.m.
The events of that evening began to unfold around 7:00 p.m.
when security footage from an apartment complex in the 6000 block of Park Heights Avenue captured Charlee's father, 28-year-old Christopher Gamble, running from the building with his daughter in his arms. She was visibly bleeding from her head and appeared to be unconscious. Christopher Gamble drove Charlee to the hospital and left her with the staff. He returned a short time later with the child's mother before leaving again. He appeared at the hospital a third time, wearing different clothes, and remained there with police who had been called by hospital staff.
An investigation into the shooting revealed a grim scene at the family's apartment. Authorities discovered blood on the ground outside the lobby, on the walls of the hallway and apartment, and inside the bedroom. Biological matter was found on the carpet next to a TV stand. Investigators also located a small hole in the bedroom ceiling and later recovered a 9mm bullet from the apartment directly above. However, no firearm or shell casings were found at the scene. The investigation concluded that Charlee and her father were the only two people inside the master bedroom when the shooting occurred. Gamble, who was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2021 assault conviction, later admitted to police that he had illegally purchased the gun and left it on the TV stand, implying his daughter shot herself.
On December 20, 2023, Christopher Gamble was arrested and initially charged with first and second-degree murder, as well as child abuse resulting in death and gun-related offenses. In August 2024, he accepted a plea deal. Christopher Gamble pleaded guilty to manslaughter and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence for leaving the unsecured, illegal firearm in the presence of his daughter. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with all but 10 years suspended. Under the terms of his sentence, the first five years are not eligible for parole.
