Family of 8-year-old shot, killed at babysitter's house in Fayetteville to hold press conference Thursday
The family of an 8-year-old girl who was shot and killed at her babysitter's house in Fayetteville is holding a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Jenesis Dockery was shot her babysitter's 11-year-old son, according to the family's attorney. Law enforcement has not confirmed that an 11-year-old shot the girl.
The 8-year-old was taken to the hospital where she eventually died as a result of her injuries.
The Dockery family hired civil rights attorney Harry Daniels to help them seek justice. They will hold a press conference Thursday at 3 p.m.
The Dockery family said they've been waiting more than two weeks for any action or accountability.
"Why did this 11-year-old child have a gun?" asked Daniels. "What kind of responsible adult takes your child into her home, pledges to keep her safe and then lets something like this happen? How many more children have to die until our leaders and the gun manufacturers start taking safety seriously?"
"As a parent, these are the kinds of questions that keep me up at night. And, after this, I’d be surprised if any parent could sleep," he said.
Jenesis' funeral was held Wednesday morning and family members expressed concern that no charges have been filed.
"It's very sad with the gun violence going on," said Dorothy McDowell, Jenesis' aunt. "I wish we could really put a stop to these young folks getting these guns."
Jenesis’ father left her and her 5-year-old sister in the care of the girls’ babysitter on July 25. The family's attorney said the babysitter was a longtime friend of the Dockery's and had cared for Jenesis and her sister at her home several times before without any problems.
Less than an hour after dropping the girls off, however, Fon received a phone call from the babysitter that Jenesis had been shot in the head. Daniels said the Dockery's were later informed that the babysitter’s 11-year-old son was the shooter. The 5-year-old witnessed the shooting and told the family the 11-year-old brought the gun into the house in a box.
"We want accountability for those who enabled or allowed this 11-year-old to gain access to a weapon," said Daniels. "Not just the 11-year-old who pulled the trigger in this matter."
Despite the efforts of doctors at Cape Fear Valley Hospital and UNC Chapel Hill, Jenesis died two days later.
The incident is under investigation by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. The office is collecting and analyzing evidence in the case. Daniels said he hopes to meet with the office for answers and inquire about possible charges.
“Fon and Kimberly Dockery have gotten lots of condolences and excuses," said Daniels. "But after more than two weeks, they haven’t gotten any answers. That has to change and, if we have anything to say about it, it will."
"The Dockery family is going through hell right now, and the least we can do for them and for little Jenesis is get the answers and the justice they deserve," Daniels said.
Friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe page in order to help defray funeral costs.
Jenesis' father, Fon, will speak at the press conference Thursday afternoon.
The family's attorney said the press conference is to call out the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department for failing to act. The press conference will be held in front of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 131 Dick St. in Fayetteville
