Eleven-year-old David Winston was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at his north St. Louis home around 11:30 on a Thursday morning. The children were home alone at the time; Tracy Smith, the mother's boyfriend who lived in the home, had gone to work earlier that morning, and the mother had left as well. According to witnesses, David found an unsecured firearm on a shelf in his mother's bedroom closet inside her purse and accidentally shot himself. His 15-year-old sister ran outside screaming for help. Officers rushed him to the hospital, where he later died. Smith was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and stealing a firearm, as the gun had been reported stolen from Bridgeton, Missouri, and Smith admitted purchasing it illegally on the street.
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 news article explicitly describes a firearm incident. The article states David Winston "accidentally shot himself" and that officers found him "suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head." The article also describes how the child "found the gun on a shelf, upstairs in his mother's bedroom closet" inside a purse.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article explicitly states that "The children were home alone" at the time of the shooting. Smith's brother recounts: "My brother went to work around eight and then about two hours later the boy's mother called him and asked him to take her somewhere. The children were home alone." The 11-year-old was unsupervised when he found and discharged the firearm.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
While the mother was not charged, the article indicates her involvement in the circumstances leading to the death. The gun was found "on a shelf, upstairs in his mother's bedroom closet" inside "her purse." Additionally, Smith's brother states that the mother "called him and asked him to take her somewhere. The children were home alone." This implies the mother left the children unsupervised, contributing to the circumstances of 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)?
The article identifies Tracy Smith as the mother's boyfriend who was living in the home. Prosecutors stated Smith was "dating the boy's mother and did not have the gun locked up." Smith was charged with "a felony count of endangering the welfare of a child and stealing a firearm."
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 article states: "Prosecutors charged Tracy Smith with a felony count of endangering the welfare of a child and stealing a firearm." Smith is also described as remaining "in jail without bond."
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?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article reveals several notable details not fully captured by other questions: (1) The firearm used in the incident was reported stolen out of Bridgeton, and Smith admitted he "bought it from a man on the street on the west side," highlighting issues with illegal firearms access. (2) Prosecutors charged the mother's boyfriend (Tracy Smith) rather than the mother, even though the gun was in the mother's bedroom closet and she reportedly left the children home alone, raising questions about the charging decision. (3) Smith's friend Jamarr Laney and his brother publicly defended him, with Laney stating "I do think and believe that he's been wrongfully charged" and only conceding the gun-related charge.
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