The child, who is unidentified, originally told police that an intruder entered their house, shot his mother, and then ran away.
A 12-year-old boy admitted to shooting and killing his mom after initially lying to detectives about what happened, reported PEOPLE.
Ayobiyi Cook, who friends called 'Yo-Yo', was found dead in the suburban home on the 2400 block of Freemont Avenue after midnight on August 6. The lady's child, who is unidentified, originally told police that an intruder entered their house, shot his mother, and then ran away, according to the release. "The child originally fabricated a story that detectives determined was not possible," said the report.
After the investigation was made, detectives determined that Cook's 12-year-old son unintentionally discharged a firearm, striking and killing his mom. "The child eventually gave a true account of what happened," said the Sheriff's office. Investigators say the evidence supports that the shooting was unintentional.
The shooting will be addressed via Alabama's Family Court system, per the department. The family of the unidentified mother and son "has been cooperative throughout the process," and the child who fired the gun will remain with the family at this time, officials said.
In the initial release, it was mentioned that on the arrival of authorities, they did not find any sign of forced entry into the home, but a man was seen fleeing the home shortly before the 911 call was made. "Deputies arrived and found a 29-year-old woman deceased on the scene. There appeared to be no forced entry into the home and a man was seen fleeing from the residence shortly before the 911 call was made," read the release.
Cook was the wife of a Birmingham police officer, according to AL.com. Cook's husband, Djuan Cook posted on Facebook that funeral arrangements would be held on August 12. "Orange was Yo's favorite color so feel to wear it as we celebrate her life," he wrote.
There was an outpouring of grief on Facebook for Cook, who listed her occupation as a registered nurse.
Friends posted that she loved her family and was a “beautiful light in this world.” “You were the sweetest person and kind to everyone near and far,’’ one friend wrote. “The most beautiful person you could meet,’’ wrote another.
A funeral for Cook will be held Friday at noon at the New Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bessemer, according to her obituary on the Faith Memorial Chapel Funeral Services website.
In 2022 so far, there have been at least 169 unintentional shootings by children, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun reform and against gun violence. Shootings by children caused 74 deaths and 104 injuries in the U.S. this year. Last year, there were 392 unintentional shootings by children in the U.S., which resulted in 163 deaths and 248 injuries.
According to EveryTown, about 3 million children and teens are exposed to gun violence a year, and 18,000 are shot and killed or wounded.
Research by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that while parents think hiding guns will prevent kids from accessing them, 75% of children who live in a home with a gun know where it is stored. Children as young as three may be able to discharge a gun, and studies find that even if a child has been taught not to touch a gun, they still will.
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