Eight-year-old Ajanae Graham of Detroit was killed on September 13, 2022, after an unsecured handgun was found by her 10-year-old brother and accidentally discharged inside the family’s home in the 8800 block of Heyden Street. Neighbors who heard the gunshot went to the house, and because of a delay in ambulance response reportedly drove Ajanae to a nearby firehouse; she was taken from there to a hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following the shooting, Ajanae’s mother, 31-year-old Erica Sade Graham, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree child abuse, and three counts of felony firearm. Authorities say the charges are based on the allegation that a firearm was not safely secured in a home with children; the police chief described the living conditions as quite concerning. At arraignment in 36th District Court, a $150,000 personal bond was set with a GPS tether and home confinement conditions if released.

Does anyone have information about safety measures in that neighborhood or knew the family and can share details that might help explain how the gun came to be unsecured?