ORLANDO, Fla. – A 10-year-old girl fatally shot a woman who was arguing with her mother late Monday in Orlando, according to police.
The fatal shooting happened around 11:45 p.m. at the Jernigan Gardens Apartments, formerly known as the Windsor Cove Apartments, on Mercy Drive.
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Orlando police said Lashun Denise Rodgers, 41, and Lakrisha Isaac, 31, got into a physical fight. At some point, Isaac handed a bag that contained a gun to her daughter, and the girl fired two rounds, striking Rodgers, according to police.
Rodgers was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and later pronounced dead, police said.
Isaac was arrested at the scene and faces charges of manslaughter culpable negligence, child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and aggravated assault with a firearm.
Family and friends gathered at the crime scene Tuesday to grieve and add to a growing makeshift memorial for the victim.
“I can’t reiterate it enough, that was an awesome woman,” said the victim’s best friend Stacey Johnson. “I can’t say nothing bad about her. Her humor, and her spirit. Oh my god. her spirit was awesome.”
The victim’s cousin said she was a mother and a grandmother who died too soon.
“It’s just so sad that she lost her life to this senseless situation,” said Amber Dozier. “She didn’t deserve it at all. She’s not that type of person, and she don’t get in this type of stuff.”
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill also spoke out about the shooting, saying Rodgers was an involved parent, often volunteering at an after-school program Hill’s children attended.
“I know multiple constituents who personally knew both the young girl and (Rodgers),” Hill said. “And everyone’s heart is broken.”
Hill added that state and federal lawmakers need to take action, stating she herself is working on a new program in Orlando.
“We were able to receive almost $2 million+ to start a Violence Interrupted program that specifically addresses mental health and gun violence,” she said.
Police said potential charges against the girl have been referred to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
The girl was placed in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
News 6 has reached out to DCF to see where the child is being housed and has not heard back.
News 6 has been working to get reaction from the suspect’s family. This story will be updated if they respond
Crime scene investigators spent hours at the scene and had a portion of the apartment complex blocked off early Tuesday.
WOMAN SHOT & KILLED: @OrlandoPolice say a woman died after being found shot at the Jernigan Gardens Apartments on Mercy Dr.
— Ezzy Castro (@EzzyCastro) May 31, 2022
A juvenile & another woman are in custody. No ages have been released.
OPD says this is an ongoing investigation.
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