Thirteen-year-old Aymira Thomas, described by family as confident, kind and goofy, was fatally shot inside her family’s apartment at the Ridgeline at Canton apartments in Canton, Michigan, on July 29, 2025. A 911 call at 12:24 p.m. brought police and emergency responders, who performed life-saving measures but Aymira died at the scene.

Authorities took a person of interest into custody and later identified him as Aymira’s 23-year-old brother Jay-Veon McKinney. Prosecutors say video shows McKinney playing with two pistols about an hour before the shooting and that his grossly negligent handling of a loaded firearm in the presence of his two younger sisters caused one gun to discharge, striking Aymira in the chest. He was charged with Homicide—Involuntary Manslaughter, Felony Firearm and Careless Causing Death; a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. The judge set bond conditions including a cash bond structure and home confinement with a GPS tether, and barred him from possessing firearms. A probable cause conference was scheduled for August 14 and a preliminary examination for August 22.

Anyone who knew Aymira or who has information about what happened that day is asked to come forward.