A teenager and his grandmother have been charged in connection with the tragic shooting death of an 8-year-old boy in Bainbridge, Georgia. The boy, Kylen Powell, was shot and killed on the night of July 11, 2025.
The Incident
On July 15, authorities arrested a 13-year-old boy, whose identity has not been released due to his age, and his grandmother, 49-year-old Knisha Ann Perkins.
The 8-year-old victim, Kylen Powell, was found dead at Perkins’ home after being shot in the face by the 13-year-old, according to WALB-TV. The two boys were cousins, and both had been staying at their grandmother’s house at the time of the incident.
At around 11 p.m., the 13-year-old allegedly shot Kylen with a 9mm handgun. It remains unclear how the teenager got access to the firearm.
When a deputy from the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene, they found Kylen lying on the living room floor, already beyond life-saving measures. No firearm was found near the body, as reported by the sheriff’s office.
Charges and Arrests
The teenager has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. His grandmother, Knisha Perkins, faces three counts of cruelty to children in the second degree and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as she has a prior criminal history.
The charges against Perkins are related to her failure to secure the firearm that led to the tragedy.
Authorities’ Warning on Gun Safety
Following the incident, Decatur County Coroner DeWitt Phillip issued a warning about the dangers of leaving firearms unsecured in homes where children are present. He emphasized that children often do not understand the risks associated with guns, urging families to lock up their firearms to prevent such tragedies.
“I have worked so many of these, and it’s not easy and it never gets easier for us,” Phillip said. “The families have to live with it, but the coroners do too.”
Ongoing Investigation
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and local authorities have not yet provided further comments on the case. However, the charges highlight the severe consequences of mishandling firearms in households, especially when children are involved.
