11-year-old Killed Playing with Guns

Inside a home in St. Louis, Missouri, 11-year-old Marshaun Futrell Jr. sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital where he died. According to a 13-year-old witness, Marshaun had two guns in his backpack, and they were playing around with them when one fired striking the victim. Police found 12 firearms in the residence, many that were loaded and easily accessed by children. Marshaun’s father admitted the guns were his, and at the time of the shooting a two-year child was also in the home. Prosecutors charged Marshaun Futrell Sr. with three counts of child endangerment.

Marshaun stood out as a football player at the local Boys and Girls Club. His coach said, “[s]ky was the limit for Marshaun…He was one of the hardest working young men I’ve seen do this.” And a family member wrote on social media, “…[h]e was not even 12 years old, yet his life was already shining so brightly. An exceptional athlete with a natural gift for football, he was rising fast…he was full of life, laughter, and love…”

Source:

Kelsi Anderson, Hunter Bassler, Annie Krall, Brent Solomon, “Father Charged in Accidental Shooting Death of Child in St. Louis County,” ksdk.com (May 6, 2025).