A man is facing a charge in connection with a shooting that left a 4-year-old girl critically injured at a Miami-Dade home Sunday, police said.
Quavanta Demettris Ennels, 25, was arrested on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Miami-Dade Police said Monday.
The incident happened around 3:40 p.m. Sunday at a home near Northwest 21st Avenue and Northwest 81st Street in West Little River.
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Police and fire rescue workers responded to the home and found the 4-year-old shot in the head.
She was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition. Police said she is fighting for her life.
Miami-Dade Police Det. Andre Martin said four children - ages 6, 4, 3 and 2 - were in the home along with an adult at the time of the incident.
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According to an arrest report, the girl and siblings were in a bedroom where Ennels' gun was kept in his bookbag.
A sibling pulled out the gun and discharged it, hitting the girl in the head, the report said.
"The firearm was stored in an unsecure manner which is how a small child was able to access it," Martin said.
Police haven't released the girl's identity or said her connection is with Ennels.
Ennels told police he'd unlawfully bought the gun, a Taurus G26C 9mm, about three months earlier for $250, the report said.
He also admitted he is a convicted felon and didn't have the right to own the gun, the report said.
Records showed Ennels had been convicted in May 2016 for robbery with a gun or deadly weapon and sentenced to four years in prison, but was released in April 2018.
Ennels appeared in court Monday where Judge Mindy Glazer initially set a $25,000 bond, but dropped it to $15,000.
"I'll set a $15,000 bond plus house arrest with a GPS monitor, level 3 house arrest. Waive costs and fees. I want the monitor on to make sure you’re not going to flee, sir," Glazer said.
But when Ennels appeared to be unhappy with the judge's decision, Glazer had some words for him.
"You know, he’s upset about a house arrest, in the meantime, there’s a little girl in the hospital who hopefully will make it who has terrible injuries because he left a firearm unsecure," Glazer said.
Prosecutors could also be pursuing negligence charges as well.
In the meantime, police had some advice for gun owners and others.
"We urge each and every member in our community whether you own a firearm or not to discuss firearm management ownership with your children," Martin said.
Ennels posted his $15,000 bond and was expected to leave jail Tuesday morning.
