A winter playdate on Tireman Street in Detroit ended in tragedy on December 12, 2016. Thirteen-year-old Emarjae Watkins was at a friend’s house with two brothers, ages 14 and 15, while their grandmother had gone to work. A loaded handgun left on a nightstand was found by the younger brother and, while the boys were handling it, the gun discharged. Emarjae was struck in the chest and died from the wound.

The grandmother, Lise Cox, and her grandson were initially taken into custody. Cox was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree child abuse, and felony firearm, but a Wayne County judge later dismissed those charges at the preliminary examination after finding she was not present and had no direct role in the death. The 13-year-old who fired the shot was charged in juvenile court and in April 2017 pleaded guilty to manslaughter; two other charges were dismissed and the court ordered a clinical evaluation before sentencing.

Were there any witnesses or neighbors who remember the day and can add detail about what happened at the house?