11-Year-Old Boy Faces Trial for Allegedly Shooting Mother Over Denied VR Headset

Sep 13, 2023, 11:00 AM

In a distressing incident that unfolded in November 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an 11-year-old boy is set to stand trial for allegedly shooting his mother in the face, reportedly due to her refusal to purchase a virtual reality headset for him. The identity of the boy remains undisclosed.

Following an evaluation by two psychologists, one of whom questioned the child's understanding of the crime and charges against him, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jane Carroll made the controversial decision to charge him as an adult. Despite concerns raised by the boy's attorney about his ability to advocate for himself, Judge Carroll determined that the child did not have a "major mental diagnosis" that would impede his trial as an adult.

According to a criminal complaint, the boy is accused of fatally shooting his mother, Quiana Mann, aged 44, in the eye at their Milwaukee home on November 21, 2022. He allegedly attempted to hide the weapon and then informed his older sister of their mother's death, prompting her to call 911. The boy reportedly accessed his deceased mother's Amazon account the following day to purchase the Oculus Virtual Reality Headset.

Initially, the child claimed the shooting had been accidental, allowing him to remain with his family. However, doubts arose within the family, leading to the boy confessing to his aunt that he had intentionally aimed the gun at his mother.  As outlined in the complaint, the child's family informed detectives of a history of "anger-related problems" that persisted throughout his life. The document additionally recounted an incident from when he was four years old, alleging that the boy swung a puppy by its tail until the dog emitted distressing cries of pain. Moreover, it claimed that he ignited a fire within the family's residence by inflating a balloon with a flammable substance and setting it ablaze.

A therapist had reportedly diagnosed the boy with a "concerning diagnosis," prompting Mann to install cameras in their home, although they were unplugged at the time of the shooting.

The child's grandmother, Lueritha Mann, disclosed that he had mentioned hearing voices, and the family had attempted to seek help for his apparent mental illness.

Quiana Mann, who worked in behavioral health and had four children, was remembered as a generous and deeply religious individual. A GoFundMe account described her as having a "spirit of giving" and an unwavering "love for God." 

The 11-year-old boy is facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide and was previously in custody with a $50,000 bond. If found guilty, he could potentially face up to 60 years in prison. Milwaukee police continue to investigate the tragic incident and emphasize the importance of securing firearms to prevent such occurrences. 
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