Mother, uncle charged in connection with 6-year-old Milwaukee boy's death
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two people have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a 6-year-old Milwaukee boy. Investigators say the child's uncle is charged with seven counts including homicide, while the child's mother is charged with neglect and straw purchasing of firearm which is when someone buys a gun for another person who isn't allowed to have one.
"The question becomes who's at fault," said Christopher Ertl, defense attorney.
Six-year-old Daquell Collins was found shot inside a home near 51st and Hope Tuesday night, April 1. Lifesaving measures were performed but Collins -- known to many as "King" -- was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to a criminal complaint, it was King's grandmother who initially called 911 just before 9:30 p.m. stating, "I think my grandson shot himself."
The complaint says, investigators found surveillance video from a nearby residence that showed two men leaving the home after the shooting; police sirens can be heard in the video as squads responded to the scene.
The video reportedly shows one of the men conceal an object under a garbage can in an alley. Authorities searched the alley and found a loaded 9mm firearm concealed under a garbage can.
"Counts three through six can be proven through video evidence alone he is caught on camera fleeing the scene he is driving around in the alleys on Milwaukee, on city streets of Milwaukee," said Milwaukee County Deputy Assistant Director Matthew Torbenson.
Investigators interviewed King's grandmother, who stated after finding her grandson shot, she called her daughter and King's mother, Daquela Collins, and told her King was shot. She was reportedly at work at the time of the shooting and rushed to the scene to find her home surrounded by first responders. By the time she arrived, King was already pronounced deceased.
Daquela was interviewed, and according to the complaint, told investigators earlier that day while at her boyfriend's house, she received an Instagram video from her brother -- 21-year-old Quintell Collins -- showing him rapping with two firearms while 6-year-old King was in the background lying on a couch. Daquela stated one of the guns was hers, and she reportedly messaged her brother and told him to put her gun down.
"Counts one and two I would say that again the firearm involved is owned by the co-defendant not by my client," said Ertl.
The complaint says Daquela knew her brother was a convicted felon, and was to not possess any firearms, but said she observed her brother carried a gun on him daily.
Daquela reportedly did not leave her boyfriend's house to ensure the safety of her son.
"I want everybody to know I didn't do this to my baby I wasn't there," said Daquela Collins.
Authorities interviewed Quintell's grandmother, who reportedly convinced him to come over to her residence following the shooting. She, according to the complaint, stated Quintell admitted to her that he was present in the home the night King was shot, and admitted to fleeing and hiding a gun underneath a garbage can.
It's not yet known who shot King or if it was an accidental shooting. Police say surveillance video showed another man run from the house with Collins, but police have not identified that person.
Arrest of Quintell Collins
On April 3, Milwaukee police received a tip Quintell Collins was at a residence near 38th and Glendale. An officer witnessed Quintell get into a black Jeep with no registration or plates and activated their emergency lights and siren. A pursuit ensued.
According to the criminal complaint, Quintell took police on a nearly four-mile chase reaching speeds of 75 miles per hour. Authorities say he blew through at least nine stop signs, two red lights, drove into oncoming traffic, and up onto a sidewalk at one point.
At one point, officials say Quintell circled the same neighborhood with witnesses congregating on a corner. The complaint says Quintell threw money out of the window at those congregated people who appeared to be cheering for him.
Eventually, stop sticks were deployed in an alley between 36th and 37th Street and the Jeep eventually came to a stop. Quintell was apprehended and taken into custody.
According to the criminal complaint, Quintell continuously lied to investigators during an interview with him on April 4. Authorities say Quintell claimed there were no guns inside the residence the night of the shooting, but the Instagram video contradicted that along with admissions against his interests from family members.
The complaint says during the interview, Quintell showed no remorse or grief for the death of his nephew, King.
Quintell Collins is charged with the following. A judge set his bond at $100,000:
Neglecting a child, consequence is death - as party to a crime, habitual criminal repeater
- Second degree reckless homicide, habitual criminality repeater
- Possession of a firearm by a felon, habitual criminality repeater (two counts)
- Second degree recklessly endangering safety, habitual criminality repeater
- Operating a motor vehicle to flee or in an attempt to elude an officer, habitual criminality repeater
- Obstructing an officer, habitual criminality repeater
Daquela Collins is charged with the following. A judge set her bond at $10,000:
- Neglecting a child, consequence is death - as party to a crime
- Straw purchase of firearm
Quintell Collins, Daquela Collins