On August 14, 2023, 7-year-old Evan Dubenion was at his maternal grandmother's home in Jacksonville, Florida, while his mother attended training for a new job. Evan and his 9-year-old sibling were playing in their maternal uncle's upstairs bedroom when the sibling found an unsecured Glock 40-caliber firearm in a dresser drawer. While the sibling was handling the gun, it discharged, striking Evan in the head. The grandmother, who was working from home, heard the shot and called 911. Evan was transported to UF Health but was pronounced deceased at 3:34 PM. An AK47 was also found unsecured under the bed in the uncle's room. The uncle was a convicted felon on probation for possessing a firearm. The firearm that killed Evan was later found wrapped in linens in a linen closet, though the grandmother denied moving it. The Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as gunshot wound to head with perforation of skull and brain, and the manner of death as homicide. No criminal charges were filed. DCF verified findings of inadequate supervision against the grandmother.
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 fatality report states: "this 7-year-old child was accidentally shot and killed by his sibling." The sibling "found a gun in the drawer of the dresser" and "was playing with the gun when it fired." A Glock 40-caliber firearm and an AK47 were found in the home. The news article also confirms a child "was able to obtain a firearm and fired a single shot striking the victim."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The fatality report states DCF "closed the investigation on October 15, 2024, with verified findings of death and inadequate supervision as to Evan, and verified findings of inadequate supervision as to the sibling. The grandmother was the identified caregiver responsible." The grandmother was working from home and reported she would "check on the boys occasionally," but the children accessed unsecured firearms in the uncle's room upstairs while unsupervised.
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?
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)
The fatality report identifies the maternal grandmother (Kisha Bertrand, age 46) as "Maternal Grandmother/Caregiver at the time" and states she "was the identified caregiver responsible" with verified findings of inadequate supervision. Additionally, the maternal uncle (Re'jon Jackson, age 24) lived in the home and the unsecured firearms, including a Glock 40-caliber and an AK47, were located in his bedroom where the children were playing.
Was a sibling involved in the death?
The fatality report states: "this 7-year-old child was accidentally shot and killed by his sibling." The sibling, age 9, is listed in the family composition chart. The report further describes that "The sibling was playing with the gun when it fired."
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?
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 fatality report states: "the uncle is a convicted felon and was on probation at the time, due to possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon, which occurred in December 2022." While the uncle (Re'jon Jackson) is not formally designated as a parent or caregiver — the grandmother is the identified caregiver — the uncle was a household member whose prior criminal history and felony status are extensively documented as directly relevant to the circumstances of the child's death.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the fatality report. First, the firearm that killed Evan was found "wrapped in linens and placed in the linen closet across from the uncle's room" after the shooting, even though the grandmother "denied seeing or moving a gun" — suggesting the weapon may have been concealed after the incident. Second, the maternal uncle (Re'jon Jackson) was a convicted felon on probation specifically for "possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon" from December 2022, yet had unsecured firearms (a Glock 40-caliber and an AK47) in his bedroom. Third, despite verified findings of inadequate supervision and the suspicious relocation of the firearm, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office "closed on October 3, 2023, without pursuing criminal charges." Fourth, law enforcement requested that DCF not interview the grandmother or uncle during the investigation, limiting DCF's ability to conduct an independent investigation. The grandmother also "refused to provide any information" about the uncle's paramour who had been staying in the room with the firearms.
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