Ramya Eunice was 12 when she was fatally shot on April 30, 2017, during a sleepover birthday party in the Lackawanna neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. Around 1:45 a.m. an 11-year-old boy found a gun at a neighboring unoccupied home and the weapon discharged, striking Ramya in the ear and the left side of her head. She was taken to UF Health Jacksonville, declared brain-dead, and taken off life support in early May after doctors found no brain activity.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office initially treated the shooting as an accident, but the medical examiner later ruled the death a homicide. After interviews and lab work, the 11-year-old was arrested on a manslaughter charge; his identity was not disclosed because of his age. Ramya’s mother, Teresa Gordon, and the family held a candlelight vigil and said they were seeking answers and accountability.

The shooting was cited alongside concerns about gun violence involving minors in Jacksonville and the need to secure firearms to prevent similar tragedies. If anyone knew Ramya, was at the sleepover, or has information about how the child accessed the neighboring home, please share what you know.