On the evening of November 2, 2022, at approximately 7:30 p.m., four-year-old Demario Warren was shot at a residence on Charleston Place Lane off Monroe Road in southeast Charlotte, North Carolina, while in the care of his father, Dayshawn St'Paul Warren. CMPD initially reported the gunshot wound as self-inflicted but later stated they were still investigating the official cause of death. MEDIC transported Demario to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The manner of death was ruled an accident. The boy's father was arrested the following day and charged with involuntary manslaughter and improper storage of a firearm. The father had previous criminal charges including domestic violence and assault, though none prevented him from legally possessing a firearm. The child's mother, Brandi Parham, had left Demario and his two siblings in their father's care approximately an hour and a half before the shooting.
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 medical examiner report (NC_22_1449.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Gunshot wound." The news article confirms the child was fatally shot, with police responding to "a shooting at about 7:30 p.m. on Charleston Place Lane." The father was charged with improper storage of a firearm.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article states that CMPD initially said the child "died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound," suggesting the child accessed the firearm himself. The father was charged with "improper storage of a firearm," indicating the weapon was not properly secured while the children were in his care. The mother stated she "left her three kids in their father's care" around 6 p.m. The combination of improper firearm storage while supervising young children implies inappropriate supervision.
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?
The news article identifies "Dayshawn St'Paul Warren, the boy's father" as the person arrested in the case and charged with involuntary manslaughter and improper storage of a firearm. The medical examiner report also states: "Charlotte police later confirmed that the child's father was arrested in connection with the incident." The children were in his care at the time of the shooting.
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 news article states: "police said Dayshawn St'Paul Warren, the boy's father, was arrested in the case" and "Dayshawn Warren was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Police said he's also charged with improper storage of a firearm." The medical examiner report also confirms: "Charlotte police later confirmed that the child's father was arrested in connection with the incident."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The news article explicitly states regarding the father: "Warren has previous charges, which include domestic violence and assault."
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 news article states: "Warren has previous charges, which include domestic violence and assault. None of those charges indicate that he would not be legally allowed to have a gun." These are prior charges separate from the current fatal incident charges of involuntary manslaughter and improper storage of a firearm.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article notes a notable discrepancy in the initial characterization of the death: "Initially, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers said Warren died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. But in a news conference, CMPD Major Cecil Brisbon said officers are still investigating his official cause of death." Additionally, there is a discrepancy in the charges reported — the article body says the father was charged with "improper storage of a firearm," while an embedded tweet from reporter Hunter Sáenz states the charges included "selling/giving a weapon to a minor." The father's bond was also reduced from $100,000 to $25,000 by a judge. The news article further notes that the father's prior charges of domestic violence and assault did not prohibit him from legally possessing a firearm, which raises questions about existing legal thresholds for firearm restrictions in cases involving domestic violence history.
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