In Detroit, Michigan, on a Tuesday evening in January 2015, the life of 13-year-old Cirla Bingham was tragically cut short. An African-American female, Cirla was at a home on Lappin Avenue with her boyfriend, who was the 14-year-old son of Ivan Berrien, the 45-year-old owner of the residence. Also present in the home were three younger children, all between the ages of five and seven.
The teenagers were left unsupervised when Berrien went to pick up a pizza.
While the adults were away, the two teenagers began playing with a rifle that belonged to Berrien. The weapon, which had been left unsecured, discharged while they were handling it. A single shot struck Cirla in the head, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Detroit police initially described the shooting as a tragic accident.
Following an investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal incident, Ivan Berrien was arrested. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office brought charges against him that included involuntary manslaughter, child abuse, and a felony firearm offense. The prosecution emphasized the immense responsibility of gun owners to secure their firearms, particularly in a home with children, arguing that this tragedy was preventable.
Ultimately, Ivan Berrien pleaded guilty to the child abuse charge. In connection with the death of Cirla Bingham, he was sentenced to serve a prison term of two to ten years. The case highlighted the devastating consequences of unsecured firearms and the legal accountability of adults for the safety of children in their care.
