A Wichita woman has been sentenced to three years in prison for her involvement in the tragic shooting death of 7-year-old Davion Gunter, who was playing with a gun while unsupervised. Tasha Dillard, 37, was sentenced by Judge Sean Hatfield to 37 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by 24 months of post-release supervision.
Dillard’s sentencing follows a series of unfortunate events on the night of March 15, when she and her friends were drinking alcohol in a car while seven children, including Davion, were left alone inside an apartment. Prosecutors outlined that during this time, one of the children found a gun in Dillard’s purse, which was left on the kitchen counter, as per KWCH.
The children then took the gun into a bedroom to “play guns,” leading to the fatal incident where Davion was shot in the stomach. Although Dillard initially denied owning or having any guns in the apartment, investigators discovered a video on her social media from earlier that day, showing her holding a firearm.
The video, saved on her phone, contradicted her claim. Further, one of Dillard’s friends confirmed that she had acquired a gun a few weeks prior to the incident. In the aftermath, Dillard was initially charged with first-degree murder but later pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter and six counts of child endangerment.
Her attorneys requested a lesser sentence, which the judge granted, resulting in the current prison term. Dillard was not Davion’s mother, and the tragedy occurred in the 3700 block of East Ross Parkway, where the children were left unsupervised. The case has raised concerns about gun safety and the dangers of leaving children without proper supervision, especially when firearms are accessible.
The court’s decision to sentence Dillard to prison aims to address the severe consequences of her actions, which ultimately led to the death of a young child and put others at risk. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the need for responsible gun ownership and adult supervision in households with children.