On the evening of December 17, 2023, 2-year-old Charlee T. Gamble was fatally shot in the head while in the master bedroom of her family's home in northwest Baltimore. Her father, Christopher Gamble, 28, was the only other person in the room at the time. He brought the child to Sinai Hospital shortly after 7 p.m., handed her to medical staff, then left the hospital and returned later with the child's mother, wearing different clothes. Charlee died at the hospital. The father gave conflicting accounts to investigators, at one point implying the toddler shot herself with a gun he had left on a TV stand. However, no gun or blood evidence was found when police searched the home and vehicle. Christopher Gamble admitted to illegally purchasing a firearm despite being prohibited by law from owning one. He was charged with first- and second-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, assault, and gun charges. The child's mother told investigators that while driving back to the hospital, the father said, "I have to die ... it was my fault."
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The ME report states the cause of death was "Gunshot Wound of Head." The CBS News article describes the child "suffering from a gunshot wound" and details the father's illegal purchase of a firearm. The WBALTV article states "Charlee Gamble, was shot in the head Sunday night." This is clearly a firearm incident.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The ME report (MD_23_1074.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Gunshot Wound of Head" with "Injury Description: Subject shot" and manner of death as "Homicide." The CBS News article states the father was "charged with first and second-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, and related gun charges." The evidence clearly shows inflicted injury via gunshot.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The CBS News article identifies the perpetrator as the child's father: "A man has been charged with the fatal shooting of his 2-year-old daughter." Christopher Gamble is identified as the father throughout both news articles and was "charged with first and second-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death." The WBALTV article also states he "was home with Charlee and three of their other children" and "was in the master bedroom with Charlee, and that's where the girl was shot."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The CBS News article states: "Christopher Gamble, 28, was charged Wednesday with first and second-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, and related gun charges." The WBALTV article confirms: "police charged the father with first- and second-degree murder, child abuse, first- and second-degree assault and gun charges."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The CBS News article states: "He was prohibited by law from owning a firearm." Being legally prohibited from owning a firearm strongly implies a prior criminal history (such as a felony conviction or other disqualifying legal event) that predates the current fatal incident. This prohibition is distinct from the charges arising from his daughter's death.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details not fully addressed by prior questions: (1) The WBALTV article states the father "was home with Charlee and three of their other children" at the time of the shooting, meaning other children were present in the home. (2) Per the CBS News article, after bringing his daughter to the hospital, "Gamble arrived at the hospital, handed his daughter to medical staff and left the hospital, but later returned with the mother of his child wearing different clothing," suggesting potential evidence destruction. (3) "When police executed a search warrant at Gamble's home and vehicle, no guns or blood evidence were found," further suggesting evidence was disposed of. (4) The father admitted to illegally purchasing a gun for $600 off the street despite being prohibited from owning firearms. These details about evidence tampering, illegal firearms acquisition, and the presence of other children in the home are substantive to understanding this case.
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