In a tragic incident that unfolded in Nashville, a mother faced the unimaginable horror of fatally shooting her 13-year-old daughter, Dearria, in what she describes as a heart-wrenching accident. The Nashville Metropolitan Police Department reported that the distressing event occurred on a somber Saturday night, shortly before the clock struck 10 p.m.
Authorities were swiftly called to the residence of De’Ann Radley and her daughter, where they found the teenager with critical injuries. Despite rapid transportation to the hospital, Dearria’s life could not be saved, and she was pronounced dead. The circumstances surrounding this tragic incident were detailed by the NMPD, which shared insights from their investigation.
According to the police, De’Ann Radley, amidst profound grief, recounted the moments leading to the fatal shot. She explained that her .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, which was not in a holster, lay amidst various items in her purse. The accidental discharge, she reported, occurred as she reached into the purse, attempting to retrieve her keys, resulting in the unforeseen tragedy.
In the aftermath of this heartrending event, De’Ann turned to social media to express her sorrow and connect with her community during this time of immense pain. Through a Facebook live session that lasted over two minutes, she shared her profound grief with her followers, articulating the depth of her loss. “My heart hurts,” she conveyed tearfully, voicing a sentiment that no parent should ever have to experience the agony she was going through.
She also made a post dedicated to her daughter with a collection of photos of Dearria.
“HUG YOUR BABIES TIGHT BC I LOST MINE, WORDS CANT DESCRIBE THIS PAIN MY OLDEST MY TWIN MY MY BABY WAS SO BEAUTIFUL,” she captioned it. “GOD GIVE ME THE STRENGTH I WOULDNT WISH THIS PAIN ON ANYONE MY HEART IS IN A MILLION PIECES. BUG WAKE UP MOMMY NEEDS YOU 13 YEARS BABY 13 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TOGETHER WHO IS GOING TO TELL ME MOMMA ITS GONE BE OKAY AND HUGGING ME AND WIPING MY TEARS AWA.”
She continued: “DEARRIA I NEED YOU I CANT DO THIS BUG I LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH.”
In an effort to seek support for the unexpected funeral expenses for her daughter, De’Ann established a GoFundMe page. The page poignantly reflects the sudden nature of the tragedy, stating, “My 13-year-old was accidentally shot and killed, I don’t have insurance to bury her.” The plea for assistance during these excruciating times invites contributions from those moved by the family’s plight, aiming to reach a goal of $15,000. By Monday, the campaign had garnered $2,485 in donations, a testament to the community’s response to the family’s sorrow.
While no charges have been filed as of yet, the investigation into this tragic accident remains ongoing, as confirmed by the police. The community and the Radley family await further developments, grappling with the devastating loss of a young life and the complex emotions that accompany such a profound tragedy.