Charges Held Against Man Accused In 6-Year-Old's Shooting Death
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – It's been nearly a month since a six-year-old girl was shot in the head in Knoxville, the unintended target of a man who opened fire on a group of people on a porch.
The victim, Isis Allen, later died.
The judge held all five charges for court during Kamau Thomas, Jr.'s preliminary hearing on Wednesday in city court.
"Our family is different now. It will never be the same without her," Theresa White said.
Theresa White can't even begin to explain how much she's misses her granddaughter, six-year-old Isis Allen. The only thing getting her through is faith.
"Isis was a believer too. She believed in Jesus Christ. Her and I talked about that before she passed," White said.
Little Isis was shot in the head last month in Knoxville. She was walking with an adult babysitter on Zara Street when she was hit by a stray bullet. She died at Children's Hospital a few days later after being taken off of life support.
"A six year old being shot and killed. I think that's just a nightmare for the entire community," Defense Attorney Blaine Jones said.
Blaine Jones is representing Kamau Thomas, Jr., 19. He's charged with homicide, attempted homicide, recklessly endangering another person, aggravated assault and discharging a firearm. During his preliminary hearing, witnesses say Thomas was in the area to act as security for a girl fight. Another person that Thomas had been feuding with a month earlier was also there, and according to Thomas, that person made him feel scared.
"My client said he saw a handgun sticking out of a waistband and that person kept tapping his waistband and looking at my client and then said 'have something for you'," Jones said.
Thomas told investigators during an interview that he took a gun and shot two rounds in this man's direction towards the roof of this home just to intimidate him. However, the district attorney argues Thomas was aiming at someone. Isis was hit in the process.
"Mr. Thomas is devastated a six year old was shot and killed, as any of us would be," Jones said.
Thomas' formal arraignment is scheduled for September 12 at the courthouse downtown.
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