Florida 14-year-old shoots his sister dead after row over Christmas presents

A teenager shot his sister dead following a row over Christmas presents.

Abrielle Baldwin, 23, was shot in the chest by her sibling in Florida’s Pinellas County.

The teenager, Damarcus Coley, 14, was then shot himself by his older brother, Darcus Coley, 15, who was armed with his own semi-automatic handgun.

Baldwin’s 10-month-old son was in a carrier nearby at the time.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said the dispute began when Baldwin was out shopping on Dec 24 with her two young sons, her brothers and their mother.

Gualtieri said her 14-year-old sibling was apparently “jealous” that his older brother was getting “more gifts” than him.

After this, they then went to their grandmother’s home where Damarcus, Darcus, and Abrielle were involved in a verbal altercation over Christmas gifts.

After Abrielle told Damarcus to stop arguing because it was Christmas, Damarcus told Abrielle he was going to shoot her and the 11-month-old she was holding in a baby carrier.

A spokesperson from Pinellas County Police said: “Damarcus shot Abrielle in the chest while Abrielle was holding the child in the carrier.

“Shortly thereafter, Darcus exited the residence with another firearm and shot Damarcus because Damarcus shot Abrielle. Darcus then fled the scene, tossing his firearm into a nearby yard. Detectives have been unable to locate the firearm used by Darcus.

“After Darcus contacted his mother, he was located and taken to a mental health facility due to self-harm statements and will be transferred to the custody of the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center once he is released.”

Sheriff Gualtieri advised juvenile delinquents are obtaining guns by either purchasing them on the street for cheap because they are stolen or through car burglaries.

Sheriff Gualtieri said: “In the last thirty days, we’ve taken reports where seventeen guns have been stolen from unlocked cars.”

Damarcus was arrested and charged with first degree murder, child abuse, and delinquent in possession of a firearm.

Darcus was arrested and charged with attempted first degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.

The investigation continues.