A 5-year-old boy, Demeir A. Douglas, died on Sunday, August 24, 2025, after a gunshot wound inside a family apartment on the 4400 block of South Greenwood Avenue in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood. Around 1:15–1:17 p.m., the child was in a bedroom when a gunshot was fired; he was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital and later pronounced dead. A firearm was recovered at the scene and the Cook County medical examiner recorded his death the same day.

Police reports and charging documents say the handgun belonged to the child’s 29-year-old sister, who had a concealed-carry license and a valid FOID card. According to those reports, she had placed a loaded handgun in a black zippered purse on a bed, tucked the purse beneath toys and clothing, then stepped into the shower. Moments later Demeir accessed the purse, was shot in the head, and died. The sister, identified as Danya Bell, was arrested and charged with one felony count of child endangerment causing death; a judge ordered her release pending trial and directed surrender of any additional firearms.

Family members had been visiting relatives and the children were preparing to nap when the shooting occurred. Pastors and advocates who met relatives at the hospital described the family’s shock and grief as detectives processed the apartment. Does anyone who knew the family or was in the Kenwood area that afternoon have information about what happened that day?