LANSING, Mich — A Lansing man who federal prosecutors say left his unsecured handgun in his car that a toddler used to fatally shoot himself should not have even had the weapon in the first place.
Avis Damone Coward is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. A complaint filed in the Western District of Michigan claims when the 2-year-old boy got ahold of his unsecured weapon in his car, the toddler discharged the weapon, killing him.
Authorities say Coward was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including carjacking, breaking and entering, and fleeing a police officer.
“This case is a parent’s worst nightmare. It’s heartbreaking and reinforces the importance of responsible gun ownership and safety storage,” said Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “A child should never be left alone with a gun. Leaving the gun at home in a secure gun safe or using a safety device, such as a gun lock, prevent tragedies like this. If you need a free gun lock or want additional information on secure firearm storage, contact the ATF Detroit Field Division.”
The incident happened on Oct. 24 at a Lansing area gas station.
According to authorities, Coward got out of his car and went inside, leaving the child and the boy's mother in the car.
The mother told police that after her friend Avis got out of the car, her child got into the front seat. She told police she was on her phone and not paying attention when she heard an explosion, and saw her child had shot himself in the head.
The woman got out of the car holding the child, who had blood on his face from a gunshot wound. That's when Coward's gun fell out of the car.
When Coward returned to his car, authorities say he picked up the gun that fell out and put it back into the car.
Authorities found him and arrested him later that day. They did not find his car.
While in jail, investigators said Coward made phone calls to friends to have them get rid of his "phones."
Investigators believe Coward was actually referencing two firearms.
Detectives recovered two weapons. One of the handgun's barrels was wrapped in paper towels and hidden inside a home's insulation.
On Halloween, investigators found the car heavily damaged by fire in a Lansing field.
This case was investigated by the Lansing Police Department, Michigan State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
