Milwaukee man sentenced to 20 years in prison in shooting death of his 8-year-old daughter

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee man will spend 20 behind bars for the shooting death of his 8-year-old daughter, and another 15 years of extended supervision.

Michael Huddleston was convicted of first degree reckless homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon after his daughter, Tiana Huddleston, was shot and killed near 18th and Highland in January of 2022.

Prosecutors say Huddleston had been drinking at home and decided to get his gun out to "teach the kids about gun safety."

Huddleston told officers he had grabbed the gun off the top cabinet in the kitchen, checked that the safety was on and that there was nothing in the clip, put the clip back in the gun and squeezed it. He said the victim was "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

In court, Huddleston attempted to walk back on his previous admission of guilt and make it sound as though his daughter, Tiana, had managed to get possession of the gun and shoot herself.

"By me being intoxicated, forgetting my responsibility, letting my guards down, Tiana, my daughter I love, was able to get in contact with my firearm, causing her to lose her life due to my negligence," Huddleston told the court.

Judge David Borowski made it a point to acknowledge during his sentencing that no evidence in the case supported the defendant's claims that his daughter shot herself.

"Mr. Huddleston is either a pathological liar, or the worst of the worst Milwaukee has to offer," Judge Borowski said. "The defendant's lack of remorse, I would similarly say I'm at a loss for words, other than it is sickening, it is vile, and it is one of the worst things I've heard from a defendant in a long time."

The judge went on to say he felt Huddleston was a threat to the community and his family. At the time of the shooting, Huddleston was on probation in Milwaukee County for a hit-and-run conviction.