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An 11-year-old Wisconsin boy who allegedly fatally shot his mother will stand trial for the crime. As The Shade Room previously reported, the child reportedly committed the act after his mother refused to purchase him a virtual reality headset.
Additionally, the boy was ten years old at the time of the fatal shooting, which occurred in November. In December, he was charged with first-degree reckless homicide as an adult.
The minor appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, per WTMJ4 News. To date, his name has not been publicly disclosed due to his age. During the event, Milwaukee Police Detective Timothy Keller testified that the boy’s story surrounding the fatal shooting changed multiple times. As The Shade Room previously reported, the child initially told police the shooting was an accident.
“I wanted to believe something like that was the truth and it wouldn’t come to this,” Keller explained. “Looking back at it, I may have overlooked other red flags that may have come up.”
Additionally, the police detective shared another line of defense the child allegedly attempted to adopt for the shooting.
“He indicated he had closed one of his eyes and believed he closed the wrong eye. You have a different perception, depending on which eye is opened or closed with shooting,” Keller continued. “The reason [his statement] was not consistent with what happened is because, while that is accurate for something far away… My target is so much closer, it doesn’t move as much. Which would mean if sights are pointed at her head, and the only difference is which eye is open, it’s not going to make a difference of missing and striking her.”
As The Shade Room previously reported, the child’s mother, 44-year-old Quiana Mann, was fatally struck at close range. According to ABC News, the defense team has reportedly attempted to have the case dismissed. However, the court found “probable cause” to “bound defendant over for trial” in July.
In addition to the first-degree reckless homicide charge, the 11-year-old also has an alternative charge of first-degree intentional homicide, as previously reported by The Shade Room. This reportedly allows the boy to be tried as an adult in Wisconsin. However, WTMJ4 News adds that if the court grants a reverse waiver, the child may be processed through the “juvenile court system.”
According to the outlet, three criteria need to be met for a reverse waiver to be obtained.
The first criterion is that if the child is convicted, they would not be able to “receive adequate treatment in the criminal justice system.” The second criterion is that “transferring jurisdiction” would not “depreciate the seriousness of the offense.” The third criterion is that “retaining jurisdiction is not necessary to deter the juvenile or other juveniles from committing the violation of which the juvenile is accused.”
According to WTMJ4 News, the child’s defense team has “indicated” their desire to “seek an evaluation for a reverse waiver.” Furthermore, the outlet adds that the 11-year-old will return to court on October 6 at 10:00 a.m. The appearance will reportedly be for a “scheduling conference.”
As The Shade Room previously reported, the fatal shooting of Quiana Mann took place on November 21, 2022, around 6:50 a.m. At the time, it was reported that the child shot Mann after she woke him up early and refused to purchase him a VR headset.
“The bullet entered through the victim’s right eye, traveled through the victim’s brain, and then, bullet fragment(s) exited out the back side of the victim’s head through her skull… the gun was fired at the victim at close range.”
The child initially indicated that the shooting was an accident. Additionally, he was allowed to stay with his family while the police investigated. However, a day after the shooting, he reportedly took to Amazon. During his session, the boy allegedly purchased the virtual reality headset through his mother’s account.
Shortly after, the child confessed to his aunt before asking about the whereabouts of his Amazon package, as per PEOPLE.
“I’m really sorry for what happened. I’m sorry for killing my mom.”
Additionally, the child also confessed the motive to the police, as per AP News.
In December, the boy’s grandmother, Lueritha Mann, detailed his mental state.
”
He’s always said that he hears voices. He said that his thoughts and everything starts generating at five or six in the morning. Sometimes four o’clock…
He has an imaginary friend that will tell him to do really bad things.”
Additionally, it was also reported that the child exhibited “concerning” behavior, such as setting living room furniture on fire, as per The Shade Room.
According to ABC News, the child has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He remains in a Juvenile Detention Center on $50,000 bail, per WISN.
