Boy, 13, and Grandmother Charged After 8-Year-Old Cousin Found Shot Dead

A 13-year-old boy and his grandmother have been arrested following the tragic shooting death of an 8-year-old boy in Bainbridge, Georgia. The shocking incident unfolded late at night on July 11, resulting in charges being filed days later.

Authorities identified the woman arrested as 49-year-old Knisha Ann Perkins, who is the grandmother of both boys involved. Perkins faces three counts of cruelty to children in the second degree and a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Meanwhile, her 13-year-old grandson, whose identity is withheld due to his age, faces severe charges, including felony murder and aggravated assault.

According to reports from WALB-TV, the two cousins had been staying overnight at Perkins’ home when the incident occurred. The teenager allegedly got hold of a 9mm handgun, fatally shooting his younger cousin, identified as Kylen Powell, in the face. When police arrived, Kylen was discovered lifeless on the living room floor, and the firearm was notably missing from the immediate crime scene.

Deputy Decatur County Coroner DeWitt Phillip expressed deep frustration and sadness over yet another preventable tragedy involving unsecured firearms. “Kids get a hold of them, and they don’t think,” Phillip stated in an emotional interview with WALB-TV. “They watch TV and everyone gets up. We need people to secure ‘em so we don’t have these children dead. Don’t leave them out where kids can play with them, because they just don’t understand.”

Phillip added poignantly, “I have worked so many of these, and it’s not easy, and it never gets easier for us. The families have to live with it, but the coroners do too.”

The investigation remains ongoing, led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office.