In a tragic turn of events on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2016, Kayla Marie Babick, a 24-year-old female from Battle Creek, Michigan, lost her life. Her sudden passing was the result of a single gunshot wound. At the time of the incident, Babick was in her home with her boyfriend, Deangelo Gaines.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting were described by authorities as a tragic accident.
It was reported that a handgun had been left on the bed, and when Babick lay down, she apparently rolled onto the weapon, causing it to discharge. At the moment the gun fired, she was on the phone with her mother, while her boyfriend was also on the bed using his cell phone. Despite being able to walk downstairs initially, she collapsed shortly after.
Following an investigation into the fatal incident, police determined that Gaines did not fire the weapon and he was cooperative throughout the inquiry, even passing a polygraph test. Although the shooting was considered accidental, Deangelo Gaines, who was 25 years old at the time, was later charged with careless discharge of a firearm causing death, a misdemeanor offense. The basis for the charge was that as the owner of the handgun, he had a responsibility to ensure it was handled and stored in a safe manner.
