Detroit mother charged after 6-year-old daughter killed in accidental shooting

Tonya Charisse-Annice Johnson faces multiple charges related to the fatal incident in a shopping center parking lot.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A 41-year-old Detroit woman has been charged with firearms safety violations, child abuse, and felony firearm charges after her 6-year-old daughter was fatally shot when one of Johnson's other children found an unsecured handgun in their vehicle. The shooting occurred while Johnson had left her five children, ages 2 to 11, unattended in the car.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the importance of safe gun storage laws, which require gun owners to keep firearms locked and unloaded when minors are present. The case also raises concerns about leaving young children unattended, especially in high-crime areas.

The details

Prosecutors say Johnson left her five children, ranging from 2 to 11 years old, alone in a vehicle in a shopping center parking lot while she went to a nearby restaurant. During that time, the 11-year-old child found an unsecured handgun in the vehicle and accidentally fired it, striking the 6-year-old girl in the head. The young victim was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

  • The fatal shooting occurred around 12:06 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Thursday afternoon at the 36th District Court in Detroit.

The players

Tonya Charisse-Annice Johnson

A 41-year-old Detroit woman who has been charged with firearms safety violations, child abuse, and felony firearm charges in connection with the fatal shooting of her 6-year-old daughter.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy

The prosecutor who described the alleged facts of the case as "among the worst child safe storage cases that we have seen."

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What they’re saying

“This will affect these children forever. The loss of the life of one of their siblings in a closed compartment of the defendant's car cannot be unseen.”

— Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Thursday whether to allow Johnson to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the critical importance of safe gun storage laws and the need for greater awareness and enforcement to prevent such devastating accidents, especially in high-crime urban areas where children's safety is at an elevated risk.