Denise Jefferson let 2 yr. old wander in back yard; he found gun

**Sister Iroz** · January 26th, 2009, 01:51 PM

Noon

The grandmother of a 2-year-old Henrico County shooting victim is being held without bond pending a preliminary hearing set this morning for April 13.

Denise M. Jefferson, 57, is charged with felony child neglect and a misdemeanor charge of recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm in a manner that endangered a child.

Kristofer L. Jefferson died at about 11 o'clock last night at VCU Medical Center after he was found shot in the head at his grandmother's home.

10:10 a.m.

Witnesses told police that a 2-year-old who died from a gunshot wound shot himself after finding a gun in the back yard of his grandmother's home, a search warrant filed this morning says, but law enforcement officials stress the case is still under investigation.

The search warrant said the child shot himself while a number of people were inside the home watching a movie.

The search warrants also said a pit bull with blood on its body was found in the yard, but there was no further explanation.

8:19 a.m.

The 2-year-old Henrico County boy shot in the head yesterday has died.

Henrico police Lt. Doug Perry this morning said Kristofer L. Jefferson died at about 11 o'clock last night at VCU Medical Center.

Jefferson's grandmother, the owner of the house where the child was shot, is being held without bond. Denise M. Jefferson, 57, is charged with felony child neglect and a misdemeanor charge of recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm in a manner that endangered a child.

She is scheduled for an initial court appearance at 11 a.m. today.

Lt. Gary Watson said police responded to a call about a gunshot shortly before 5 p.m. in the 1900 block of Watts Lane, across from The Showplace on Mechanicsville Turnpike.

According to Henrico land records, Denise Jefferson has owned the one-story residence on Watts Lane for about 26 years.

Major-crimes investigators were at the home and the hospital last night as part of a Henrico police presence that included more than a dozen officers and forensics team members.

Shelton Jones, a neighbor, said Jefferson's deceased husband had kept dozens of weapons in the home and was a gunsmith. Rudolph Jefferson Sr. died in December 1998.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/new...081616/188700/

**Zibarro** · January 26th, 2009, 02:08 PM

TWO YEARS OLD ----

Alone in the backyard

WITH a pit bull

AND a loaded gun

WTF? Did the entire family get a massive case of the stupids? NONE of the above should happen - let alone ALL THREE!!!

This makes me so sick. Another breeding pond that needs to be drained.

RIP little one.

**sanityslipping** · January 26th, 2009, 02:15 PM

WTF? Did the entire family get a massive case of the stupids? NONE of the above should happen - let alone ALL THREE!!!

ditto. There is so much FAIL here, I can't even wrap my mind around it. And who keeps a loaded gun in the back yard anyways? Were they shooting it earlier in the day or something and forget to bring it in? Personally, I would keep my gun, in the house, not outside waiting for someone to wander by and think. Geez, really easy to rob these folks, they just haned me a gun, gift wrapped with ammo.

Can we get an IQ test before allowing people to own guns. Even if they were left to them by a family member, they must pass an IQ test before taking possession.

**MichaelJCheaney** · January 26th, 2009, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by sanityslipping

ditto. There is so much FAIL here, I can't even wrap my mind around it. And who keeps a loaded gun in the back yard anyways? Were they shooting it earlier in the day or something and forget to bring it in? Personally, I would keep my gun, in the house, not outside waiting for someone to wander by and think. Geez, really easy to rob these folks, they just haned me a gun, gift wrapped with ammo.

Can we get an IQ test before allowing people to own guns. Even if they were left to them by a family member, they must pass an IQ test before taking possession.

I think people should be forced to take an IQ before jumping into the gene pool myself....

**Tazzzz** · January 26th, 2009, 02:28 PM

Maybe its just me, but I always find it hard to believe a little boy would shoot himself in the head with a gun. He might shoot another kid that way but not himself. No one picks up a toy gun or real gun and aims it at there head for fucks sake.

Witnesses told police that a 2-year-old who died from a gunshot wound shot himself after finding a gun in the back yard of his grandmother's home, a search warrant filed this morning says, but law enforcement officials stress the case is still under investigation.

The search warrant said the child shot himself while a number of people were inside the home watching a movie.

The search warrants also said a pit bull with blood on its body was found in the yard, but there was no further explanation.

**Jessiesgirl1108** · January 26th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Tazzzz

Maybe its just me, but I always find it hard to believe a little boy would shoot himself in the head with a gun. He might shoot another kid that way but not himself. No one picks up a toy gun or real gun and aims it at there head for fucks sake.

You know Tazzzz...I always think the same thing. I mean it would be hard enough (I would think) for a 2 years old to be able to hold a gun and fire it...but to be able to fire it while holding it to his head...I'm just amazed.

**SoUncool** · January 26th, 2009, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Tazzzz

Maybe its just me, but I always find it hard to believe a little boy would shoot himself in the head with a gun. He might shoot another kid that way but not himself. No one picks up a toy gun or real gun and aims it at there head for fucks sake.

That would be a learned behavior, not an instinct. Maybe he has seen adults do that in his environment. I really don't even see how a 2 yr old can HOLD a gun AND pull the trigger. It would be way too heavy and his little fingers wouldn't even be able to reach the trigger I wouldn't think.

**Zibarro** · January 26th, 2009, 03:07 PM

Kinda curious about why the pit bull was bloody, too.

They seem to be tight lipped about that.

**MichaelJCheaney** · January 26th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Zibarro

Kinda curious about why the pit bull was bloody, too.

They seem to be tight lipped about that.

It's because (surprisingly) the pit bull isn't talking......

**Zibarro** · January 26th, 2009, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by MichaelJCheaney

It's because (surprisingly) the pit bull isn't talking......

Damn pits! Nothin' but trouble. Always with the silent treatment. Why can't they be more like Chihuahua's - they NEVER shut up! Make great witness's.

BTW - this one's for you Michael

**sanityslipping** · January 26th, 2009, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by SoUncool

That would be a learned behavior, not an instinct. Maybe he has seen adults do that in his environment. I really don't even see how a 2 yr old can HOLD a gun AND pull the trigger. It would be way too heavy and his little fingers wouldn't even be able to reach the trigger I wouldn't think.

That would really depend on the model of the gun as to how big/heavy it was. Also, keep in mind, that be may have been handling the gun, looking at it, with it pointed towards him, and not knowing any better, had his finger or thumb on the trigger, and it fired. I doubt he was shot himself in this style

I really hate to use a smiley on this

**Sister Iroz** · January 26th, 2009, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Tazzzz

Maybe its just me, but I always find it hard to believe a little boy would shoot himself in the head with a gun. He might shoot another kid that way but not himself. No one picks up a toy gun or real gun and aims it at there head for fucks sake.

Tazz, that was my first thought, how did a 2 yr. old shoot himself in the head. Also, how did blood get all over the Pit Bull and why was the 2yr. old wandering in the backyard by himself. This whole scenario sucks to me.

**Tazzzz** · January 26th, 2009, 05:12 PM

I wonder what movie they were all watching in the house and if it was like a "Thug" one, maybe it gave him idea's???

**Nell** · January 26th, 2009, 06:19 PM

Maybe the dog went for the kid and someone shot at the dog, accidentally shooting the kid?

**Castille** · January 26th, 2009, 06:45 PM

A .22 is small and handlable by a 2yr old. But jeez, my 2yr old couldn't master a sticky flashlight switch - how do these other toddlers manage a trigger pull?

**Ceffy** · January 27th, 2009, 06:58 AM

My dogs always run to investigate whenever someone is hurt or falls down. Yes, even the pitbull.

I doubt it was the dog. It'd be kinda hard for him to pull the trigger. :P

**Dakota Valkyrie** · June 11th, 2009, 10:14 AM

A Henrico County judge imposed a six-month jail sentence for a woman whose 2-year-old grandson was fatally shot at her home in January.

Denise M. Jefferson, 57, pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor, in connection with the death of Kristofer L. Jefferson.

Henrico Circuit Judge Burnett Miller III sentenced Jefferson to five years in prison, with four years and seven months suspended, for the felony charge. He sentenced her to 12 months, with 11 months suspended, for the lesser charge.

Jefferson, who has been in jail since her arrest Jan. 25, was given credit for time served. She is scheduled for release July 8.

People at Jefferson's home have asserted that on Jan. 25, her grandson shot himself with a rifle that other children had found in the backyard on Watts Lane in eastern Henrico.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Michelle L. Marken said in February that police had not been able to verify that the wound was self-inflicted, and that no one from the home has come forward to say otherwise.

A search warrant states that Denise Jefferson declined to call police, saying they would not help, but defense attorney Brice Lambert has said that another adult in the home did call police, and a second adult drove the dying child to a hospital.

Yesterday, Marken said: "I still have aspects of the case that are still pending." She declined to elaborate.

Lambert has said that Denise Jefferson had been struggling to control eight grandchildren at the home and did not take steps to secure the .22-caliber rifle.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/new...222402/273166/

**Just my luck sucks** · June 11th, 2009, 10:20 AM

People at Jefferson's home have asserted that on Jan. 25, her grandson shot himself with a rifle

With a rifle? A two year old--shot himself in the head with a RIFLE?

Nope, I don't think so--someone murdered that child.

**PooperScooper** · June 11th, 2009, 10:43 AM

How the hell does a 2-year old shot himself with a rifle??? I don't know much about guns but wouldn't it be to long for a 2 year old to shot himself in the head???

**coffee achiever** · June 11th, 2009, 11:37 AM

Someone in that family is getting away with murder. Period.

**proudmom** · June 11th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Zibarro

TWO YEARS OLD ----

Alone in the backyard

WITH a pit bull

AND a loaded gun

WTF? Did the entire family get a massive case of the stupids? NONE of the above should happen - let alone ALL THREE!!!

This makes me so sick. Another breeding pond that needs to be drained.

RIP little one.

ditto

**Misskittychaos** · June 11th, 2009, 01:01 PM

As it's been said, that child had help. I just can't figure out HOW a 2 year old could shoot himself with a rifle. Also with the Grandfather being a gunsmith wouldn't you think the ADULTS in that "family" knew something about gun safety or atleast you don't leave a rifle outside in the backyard?

**ineedanap** · June 11th, 2009, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by coffee achiever

Someone in that family is getting away with murder. Period.

I agree, there's so much wrong with this story I don't even know where to begin. So, I won't.

RIP, sweet baby boy.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · July 2nd, 2009, 07:11 AM

Henrico County authorities believe the shooting death of a 2-year-old boy in January was an accident and that convictions in the case yesterday will end prosecutions in the matter.

There was no physical evidence of who shot Kristofer L. Jefferson in an eastern Henrico home filled with children and with a long history of violent conduct.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Michelle L. Marken said Jefferson was shot when a sibling was moving a rifle.
[...]

Circuit Judge Burnett Miller III said he believed Ainalee Jefferson, the child's mother, when she testified that a longtime friend of hers, John A. Butler Jr., 24, acknowledged to her weeks after the shooting that the gun was his.

But Butler denied on the stand that the gun was his, saying he had told Jefferson only that he would have stopped the shooting if he was aware that it was about to happen. He denied that he was aware the gun had come into the house, saying he was asleep most of the day on the living-room couch.

Miller convicted Butler of possession of firearm by a violent felon and two misdemeanors -- a child-abuse charge tied to the shooting and a charge of recklessly handling a firearm. Butler, convicted of two previous felonies, will be sentenced Sept. 16. He faces at least five years in prison.

Butler is believed to have left the weapon outside the home, where it was found Jan. 25 by one or more of Ainalee Jefferson's seven children, who were at the home under the care of their grandmother, Denise Jefferson. Ainalee Jefferson was at work at the time of the shooting, about 4:40 p.m.

Yesterday, Denise Jefferson testified that she merely told the children, the oldest of whom was 9, to take the gun to her bedroom when they said they had found it. A short time later, a single shot felled the 2-year-old, whose oldest brother then ran to another room, where adults were watching television.

He said Kristofer had shot himself.

Denise Jefferson, 57, was arrested that day on neglect and other charges. In June, she pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was sentenced to a six-month jail sentence and will be released Wednesday.

On the day of the shooting, according to court documents, Jefferson declined to call police; Butler and another man drove Kristofer to VCU Medical Center, where he died.

According to a search warrant, police said there were indications the crime scene had been cleaned up; the gun had no fingerprints on it.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/new...222807/277586/