12-year-old Girl Accidentally Shot and Killed

A group of teens playing with guns had gathered in a home in Chicago, Illinois. A 14-year-old boy dropped one of the guns; it discharged, fatally striking 12-year-old Dalilah Batey in the head. Dalilah, a seventh grader, was about to turn 13 in two weeks. Her mother said she was known as a “happy, smiley, dancing queen.” “My best friend and baby never made it home.”

Police recovered two guns in the yard of the home. The 14-year-old was charged with involuntary manslaughter, and Tyler Wright, 19, was also charged with child endangerment/death. Officials continue to investigate.

Sources:

Megan Hickey, Elyssa Kauffman, “Teen Charged in Shooting Death of 12-year-old Inside Home on Chicago’s South Side,” cbsnews.com (February 11, 2025).

“2nd Person Charged in Deadly Shooting of 12-year-old Girl in Calumet Heights Home, Police Say,” abc7chicago.com (February 12, 2025).