A 12-year-old boy has confessed to accidentally shooting his mother, a Nigerian woman, after initially claiming an intruder killed her in their US home.
Before now, the boy had lied that an intruder entered their house, shot his mother and then ran away.
Ayobiyi Abeni Harris Cook, the mother, is a 29-year-old registered nurse whose friends called ‘Yo-Yo’, was found dead in the family’s Forestdale, Alabama home, on the 2400 block of Freemont Avenue after midnight on August 6.
“The child originally fabricated a story that detectives determined was not possible,” Deputy Chief David Agee said.
“After investigation, Sheriff’s Detectives were able to determine that the victim’s 12-year-old son unintentionally discharged a firearm striking his mother causing her death.
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“After more probing, the boy finally changed his story.
“The child eventually gave a true account of what happened,” Agee said.
“Evidence on the scene supports that the shooting was unintentional and the offense will be addressed through the Family Court system. The family has been cooperative throughout the process and the child will remain with them.”
The boy’s father is an officer with the Birmingham Police Department and was working at the time of the shooting, according to Birmingham Real-Time News.
The funeral for the slain mom will be held on August 12 at the Faith Memorial Chapel in Bessmer, Alabama.
‘This offense is a tragedy for the Cook family and the entire community,’ the sheriff’s department added.
Cook’s husband, Djuan Cook, shared details about arrangements for his wife, who was known as ‘Yo’ or ‘YoYo’ to Facebook.
‘Orange was Yo’s favorite color so feel to wear it as we celebrate her life,’ he wrote. Her funeral will be held August 12.
Funeral Arrangements for Ayobiyi Abeni Harris Cook 👩🏾⚕️🧡
Visitation will be held at Faith Memorial Chapel Funeral Services, 600 9th Avenue, Bessemer Al 35020 on Thursday, August 12 between 1pm-7pm.
The funeral will be held on Friday at New Bethlehem Baptist Church, 11th Avenue North, Bessemer Al 35020 on Friday at 12:00pm. Burial following at Highlands Memorial Garden Cemetery. 3115 18th Avenue North Bessemer Al 35020.
Orange was Yo’s favorite color so feel to wear it as we celebrate her life 🧡 (grey and white will be incorporated as well).