Columbia man gets 10 years in child’s shooting death
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to a reduced charge in a 3-year-old's shooting death.
Kevin L. Brownlee Jr., 31, pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter, avoiding a murder charge in the death of 3-year-old Zy’mir Harris-Dawson. Brownlee also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years by Judge Stephanie Morrell for illegal gun possession.
Police responded on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, to the area of Leeway Drive and Blue Ridge Road, according to previous reporting. A 3-year-old boy had been shot in the torso and two adults were rushing him to Columbia Fire Station No. 9 for help, according to a press release at the time.
Police then took the child to a local hospital, where he later died. Court documents indicated the mother of the child gave conflicting statements.
Police responded on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 to the area of Leeway Drive and Blue Ridge Road, according to previous reporting. A 3-year-old boy had been shot in the torso and two adults were rushing him to Columbia Fire Station No. 9 for help, according to a press release at the time.
Police then took the child to a local hospital, where he later died. Court documents indicated the mother of the child gave conflicting statements.
Harris-Dawson's mother, Gabrielle Harris, made an appearance to give a victim statement.
"I have had to learn how to function while carrying pain that never fully leaves," Harris said in the statement, "I forgive because my faith caused me to forgive, but forgiveness does not cancel consequences, forgiveness does not erase the harm that was done."
Harris-Dawson's family later said they felt the sentence was too lenient.
"What if that was your child? What if that was your grandson? What if that was the little brother?" Donyell Harris, Harris-Dawson's father said. "I would have been okay with 30 years, at least 25 years, but 15 years, that's a low blow, that's not fair."
"Ten years was a slap on the wrist," Gabrielle Harris said. "It's letting people know they can get away with stuff."
