Autopsy: Man arrested for killing 5-year-old girl called 911 moments before shooting; babysitter pushed 18-month-old into closet then used body to shield cousin from bullets
The autopsy report was released Friday for 5-year-old Khloe Fennell, who was shot to death in July.
The state medical examiner who conducted Khloe's autopsy said the 5-year-old was shot four times in her neck, leg, arm and abdomen.
"The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death was homicide," the autopsy report stated.
Brian Deshan Luster, 42, a cousin of Brittany Dash, Khloe's mother, was living with them at the time of the shooting.
Francine Gray, a friend of Dash, said that Khloe's 15-year old cousin Destiny Sidberry was watching the 5-year-old and another child at the home when Luster showed up.
The autopsy report stated that before the shooting happened, Luster called 911 to report an overdose. During that call, he began arguing with Destiny and went into Dash's room to grab her gun, according to the autopsy report.
The autopsy report stated that Destiny managed to shield an 18-month-old from the gunfire by pushing the toddler into a closet. The report stated that after Destiny got the child into the closet, she then attempted to shield Khloe with her own body.
Destiny was shot seven times as she covered Khloe with her body. When police arrived, the 15-year-old girl told them, "Tell Brittany I tried."
The autopsy report stated that when officers arrived, they found Luster choking Destiny — after he already shot her several times.
Destiny was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent surgery. The teen managed to survive.
Khloe's funeral was held at the end of July at Immanuel Temple Church in Durham, where family and friends gathered to say their goodbyes to Khloe.
Brian Luster's long history of violence
Luster was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Khloe Fennell, the attempted first-degree murder of Destiny Sidberry and possession of a firearm by a felon.
WRAL News learned that Luster has a criminal record that goes back two decades, including restraining orders sought by three different women.
Since 2001, Luster has faced more than 50 charges and spent nearly five years incarcerated.
He is being held in the Durham County Jail with no bond.
