DALLAS — The Dallas Police Department is investigating after a 6-year-old girl died from a gunshot on Wednesday, sources tell WFAA.
Police say they received a call about a shooting at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday at a townhome complex in the 2100 block of North Fitzhugh Avenue.
When officers arrived, they found the young girl, identified as Aylayna Ross, shot inside the home and an "unsecured firearm."
Ross was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where she later died from her injuries.
On Thursday, police announced Damariya Sowels, 19, was arrested in the case on a charge of tampering with physical evidence and unrelated warrants, according to a news release.
Ross' grandfather Michael Key says he’s never met him.
“I don’t know him,” he said. “But this made me very upset and very angry.”
Sources, neighbors, and family have told WFAA the girl shot herself, likely by accident, but police are still trying to iron out the circumstances as to how she was shot.
When Michael Key talks about Ross, his granddaughter, his eyes fill up with love.
“She was my road dog,” Key said. “She was a tremendous little girl. She was smart.”
He’s quick to pull out his phone and show you one of the many photos of the time they’ve spent together. Moments he says he’s glad he captured and, more importantly, saved.
“That's all I got. Now is the memories,” Key said.
Aylayna was at this townhouse Wednesday with her 9-year-old brother, 11-year-old sister, 18-year-old brother, and his friend when police say a Mac-10 was irresponsibly placed on a PlayStation in an upstairs bedroom.
“I don't know why the Lord take her,” he said. “But my mom always says never question the Lord, so I'm not going to question it.”
Police were questioning adults, and several young children who were in the home during the incident have been detained and are being questioned by police as well.
The tragedy is the second for this family in less than two weeks. The mother of the little girl was preparing to bury her 14-year-old son when the shooting happened.
Ah-Bralen Rider was shot around 4:40 a.m. on Dec. 29 near 3100 Harry Hines Boulevard, per the Dallas Police Department.
Another 14-year-old was also wounded. Both were taken to the hospital, where Rider died.
A 16-year-old was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that was upgraded to manslaughter after Rider's death.
His funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
"We’re barely coping right now,” Key said.
They are pleading with others to learn from their heartbreak.
“If you got guns in your house, keep your guns in a safe location,” Key said.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.