MEMPHIS, Tenn. — UPDATED - Memphis Police have arrested a man after they say a 3-year-old girl accidentally shot and killed her father Wednesday night in southeast Memphis.
26-year-old Allante Jones is charged with reckless homicide and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Just before 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, officers were called to a shooting in the 4300 block of Harvest Hill Road, near Hickory Hill and East Raines.
According to the police affidavit, officers found Jerome Smith in the driver’s seat, another person in the passenger seat, and Jones and Smith’s 3-year-old daughter in the back seat of a black Nissan Altima in the driveway of a home.
During questioning, police said Jones told them Smith had picked him up to take him home. They said Jones told investigators he laid the gun down, and the child picked it up and started playing with it. While she was playing with the gun, Jones said it fired and hit Smith in the head.
The affidavit said Jones was seen on surveillance video apologizing for what happened.
Investigators said Jones does not have a handgun carry permit. He is due in court Friday.
