According to the obituary from Cofield Funeral Home in Weldon, the child was a student at Weldon Elementary School. “Marquisa had a sharp mouth and was a comedian in her own right; she loved to sing and was destined to be America's Next Top Model,” a portion of the entry reads. “She enjoyed a lot of things and her favorite foods were macaroni and cheese and fried chicken.”
The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office has notified the department of Social Services about the child who was killed when an improperly stored gun was accidentally discharged by another child. Social Services Director Michael Felt said earlier this week he could not comment on the matter.
Lieutenant Bobby Martin said this week the department will conduct its own investigation to determine the home life of the child.
Martin said it is unknown whether more charges will be filed against Derrick Mayo, 32, the child’s uncle, and Marke Parker, 18.
Thus far Mayo has been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, storing a weapon in a manner which is accessible by a minor, conspiracy and simple possession of marijuana.
Parker faces the storing of a weapon and conspiracy charges, Martin said. The men have September 1 court dates.
In a news release, Martin said Deputy Joe Puhak arrived at 106 Beech Court in the Weldon housing projects shortly before 6 p.m. and found several people screaming and upset in the home. Mayo and Parker were among the individuals there.
Puhak discovered a child had been shot and located and secured the weapon that was discharged.
The two men charged were home with the children when the shooting occurred, Martin said.
Shortly after 7 p.m. Monday the two men were escorted from the house for questioning and were charged. “Both suspects were what we would describe as being severely upset with the situation,” Major Bruce Temple said.
Mayo was crying as Temple and Puhak led him to a patrol car.
People sitting outside the apartment next to 106 said they didn’t hear anything or know what happened.
Crying could be heard from inside the apartment and at one point there was anguished sobbing coming from inside.
The weapon, a .308 bolt action rifle, was allegedly stored in an upstairs closet in Mayo's room. The children discovered the weapon and the gun discharged, fatally wounding the four-year-old.
The child was taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
The men told investigators they found the gun Sunday in an unknown location at the edge of the woods.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has been notified to trace the history of the weapon, Martin said.
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