Kansas Woman Sentenced After Child Accidentally Shoots Another While She Drank Tequila

WICHITA, KANSAS — A Kansas woman has been sentenced to prison after a 4-year-old child gained access to her gun and fatally shot another young boy while she was drinking tequila with friends.

Fatal Shooting Leaves 7-Year-Old Dead

The tragedy occurred on March 15 at an apartment complex in the Planeview neighborhood of Wichita, where 25-year-old Tasha Dillard was spending the evening drinking inside her car with other adults while seven children played inside her apartment, according to court documents obtained by KAKE.

Moments later, chaos erupted when one child ran to the adults shouting, “Take him to the hospital.” Inside, 7-year-old Davion Gunter was found bleeding from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Emergency responders rushed Davion to the hospital, but he later died of his injuries. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound.

Gun Left Unsecured on Counter

Investigators said Dillard had purchased a handgun weeks before the incident but initially denied owning any firearms when questioned. She later admitted she had left the loaded gun on a kitchen counter behind her purse, claiming it was “not easily visible.”

One of Dillard’s friends reportedly took a Snapchat video posing with the gun earlier that day before setting it back on the counter. Prosecutors said the 4-year-old boy found the weapon and accidentally shot Davion while playing.

Charges and Sentencing

Dillard was initially charged with first-degree murder, but in September 2025, she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and six counts of aggravated child endangerment.

On Thursday, a Sedgwick County judge sentenced her to 37 months in prison — equal to three years and one month — followed by two years of post-release supervision.

Her defense team requested a reduced sentence, which the judge granted, citing her lack of criminal history and acceptance of responsibility.

Gun Violence Impact on Children

A 2024 report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions revealed that firearms remain the leading cause of death among U.S. children and teens ages 1 to 17, surpassing motor vehicle accidents and cancer.

The report also noted that Black children are disproportionately affected, with firearm death rates 18 times higher than white children in the same age range.

Community Outrage and Reminders About Gun Safety

The tragic case has reignited conversations about gun storage and parental responsibility. Law enforcement officials emphasize that even legally purchased weapons must be secured with gun locks or kept in safes — especially in homes with children.

Police and safety advocates in Kansas continue to urge families to store firearms unloaded and locked, keeping ammunition separately to prevent accidental shootings.

For ongoing updates on court cases and community safety across the Midwest, follow NapervilleLocal.com — your trusted source for breaking local and regional crime news.