Armani Creary

Armani Creary was a 2-year-old Black boy from Saint Petersburg, Florida, who had a smile and a smirk that could light up a room. He had a twin sister named Aubrianna, and they had just celebrated their second birthday the month before his death. Armani loved the television show "Paw Patrol" and enjoyed spending time with the horses at his great-aunt's ranch.

On the evening of May 28, 2023, a family argument turned tragic at the home where Armani lived with his father and grandparents. Around 8:10 p.m. at the house on 15th Avenue South, Armani's father, 22-year-old Aaron Creary, got into a verbal altercation with his parents. During the dispute, Aaron Creary pulled out a gun. The weapon fired, and the bullet struck his young son, Armani.

In a desperate attempt to get his injured son medical help, Aaron Creary tried to drive him to the hospital. However, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed in the parking lot of a closed business at the corner of 15th Avenue South and 34th Street South. Emergency responders arrived and transported Armani to a local hospital, but he did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead.

Police arrested Aaron Creary and charged him with aggravated manslaughter of a child and violation of probation. Despite the arrest, Armani's mother and other family members stated their belief that the shooting was a tragic accident and that Aaron would never have intentionally harmed his child.

The case concluded in May 2024 when Aaron Creary pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child by culpable negligence. A Pinellas County judge sentenced him to seven years in state prison.