On Saturday, March 12, 2022, 11-year-old Makayla Martin was fatally shot at a home in the 400 block of West Vega Lane in Killeen, Texas, during a domestic disturbance. According to the arrest affidavit, Makayla's stepfather, Kendrick Donnell Gaines (39), got into an argument with Makayla's mother, Danielle Gaines, retrieved a firearm, and shot Danielle and both children — Makayla and her 6-year-old cousin, Alyssa Whitfield. Makayla died at the scene, while Alyssa was airlifted to McLane Children's Hospital but did not survive. Danielle sustained a gunshot wound to the neck but survived. A neighbor physically restrained Gaines after he exited the home with the gun. Gaines was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with bond set at $2.5 million.
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?
Multiple documents describe a fatal shooting involving a firearm. The kdhnews.com article states Kendrick Gaines "retrieved a firearm and shot her" and the two children. The fox44news.com article reports "Officers found the children, two girls, ages six and eleven, both with gunshot wounds" and describes the husband running outside "with the gun."
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)
Makayla Martin was fatally shot. The kdhnews.com article states: "During an argument Saturday with Danielle Gaines, husband Kendrick Gaines allegedly 'retrieved a firearm and shot her' and the two children, according to the arrest affidavit." The fox44news.com article confirms: "Officers found the children, two girls, ages six and eleven, both with gunshot wounds." Being shot constitutes inflicted injury.
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)?
Kendrick Gaines is identified as the husband of Makayla's mother, Danielle Gaines, but is not Makayla's biological father. The kdhnews.com article identifies "Makayla's father, Gabriel Martin" separately from Kendrick Gaines, and states "Makayla's mother, Danielle Gaines, was also injured in the shooting." Kendrick Gaines, as Danielle's husband and Makayla's stepfather, shot and killed Makayla. He was charged with capital murder. This places a male stepfather/paramour as the perpetrator.
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?
Kendrick Donnell Gaines, 39, was arrested and charged. The kxxv.com article states: "Gaines is being charged with Capital Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and remains in custody." The kdhnews.com article confirms: "Kendrick Gaines, 39, was booked into the Bell County Jail charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke set Gaines' bond at $2.5 million."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The shooting occurred in the context of domestic violence. The kdhnews.com article states: "During an argument Saturday with Danielle Gaines, husband Kendrick Gaines allegedly 'retrieved a firearm and shot her' and the two children, according to the arrest affidavit." The fox44news.com article describes it as a "domestic disturbance" and quotes the neighbor relaying the victim's words: "My husband shot me, and I think my kids probably got shot too."
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
Several notable details emerge. First, Makayla's 6-year-old cousin, Alyssa Whitfield, was also killed in the same shooting incident. Second, a neighbor, Jesse Davis, physically restrained the shooter after he ran outside with the gun: "I just held him, gave him the big old bear hug, and just held him from shooting or doing any more damage to anyone" (fox44news.com). Davis's wife also provided first aid to the shooting victim (Danielle Gaines) by applying pressure to a gunshot wound to her neck. This neighbor intervention likely prevented additional casualties. Third, the community response included a candlelight vigil with over 100 attendees, where pinwheels — symbols of child abuse prevention — were placed in the yard.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.