Parents arrested on multiple charges following shooting death of 3-year-old

Press release from Gainesville Police Department

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at approximately 5:57 p.m., multiple Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Officers and EMS responded to Lamplighter Mobile Home Community, in reference to a shooting involving a three-year-old child. The child was transported to UF Shands, where he succumbed to his injuries. The investigation revealed that the child obtained a firearm from an unlocked gun case in the home. The child was playing with the firearm when it went off, striking him. Investigation revealed that both parents were not home during this incident.

On Wednesday, September 7, 2022, detectives interviewed the victim’s mother and father. It was discovered that the father, Ledrick Lataurus Ferguson B/M DOB: 07/23/74, a seven-time convicted felon, was in possession of two firearms that he knowingly left unsecured in the center console of a couch, while in the presence of his son, the three-year-old victim. This action was witnessed and condoned by the victim’s mother, Kayla Shelynn Carter B/F DOB: 12/29/87, and was confirmed by a witness. Additionally, the parents routinely left all three children (8 and under) in the care of a person not suited for that responsibility, who was also present on the day of the incident. The other two children are safe and are currently in the care of their family/relatives.

Both parents were arrested and charged with the following crimes: Manslaughter, Neglect Causing Great Bodily Harm, Neglect Without Causing Great Bodily Harm (x2), and Unsafe Storage of a Firearm; additionally, Ferguson was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.