Police: Girl Shot In Knoxville Pronounced Dead, Case Now A Homicide
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Police say they are now classifying a shooting in Knoxville last weekend that left a 6-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the head as a homicide and will be revising the charges against the suspect.
According to Pittsburgh Police, the charges against 19-year-old Kamau Thomas, Jr. of Carrick "will be amended as deemed appropriate in the near future."
Earlier today, doctors at Children's Hospital wanted to do one final test before determining if 6-year-old Isis Allen would be taken off life support after being shot on Sunday on Zara Street.
Police say she was pronounced dead at 1:46 p.m. Wednesday.
The little girl's mother was trying to fight the decision to take her daughter off of life support. She said doctors needed to give her daughter more time to heal.
"This happened Sunday, this is now what, Wednesday? That to me is not a fighting chance," Allen's mother, Taquea Sykes, said. "I'm asking for something in writing that says that this is procedure and this is protocol. They're telling me they aren't legally bonded to show me a legally binding document."
It's been a tough few days for the family of Isis Allen.
"Yes, this is very traumatic, her brain injury is horrendous, but there are people who have pulled through the same thing. I think my baby deserves that. No, she is not doing great, but this is my child and I have to fight for her," Sykes said.
Police arrested Thomas on Monday and filed a long list of charges against him; but for Isis Allen's family, they never wanted to give up hope.
"I'm her voice, I'm all she has," Sykes said. "I'm her voice. She wanted to be a police officer."
Tuesday night, the Lighthouse Church opened its doors to anyone who wanted to come in and pray.
Others have been to the hospital to pray with the family.
"I've never felt this much love in my life and that's what that little girl did to me. That's what she brought to everybody and that's why they're giving it back - everybody that she's ever met. She's the most loved kid on the South Side of Pittsburgh. I love the prayers, I love the support, but right now, I need physical help. I need a lawyer, give me some peace. I don't want her to suffer," Sykes said.
The family has indicated they plan to donate the little girl's organs, but they need help with funeral expenses and other costs.
They have set up a Go Fund Me page, which you view here.
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