How 12-Year-Old Boy Killed His Nigerian Mother In US
A 12-year-old Alabama boy “unintentionally” shot and killed his mother over the weekend in their home after initially making up a story about how she died, according to authorities.
The child, who has not been publicly identified, discharged a firearm early Saturday morning, killing his mother, 29-year-old Ayobiyi Cook, in Forestdale, Ala., authorities said. Cook’s husband, a police officer in nearby Birmingham, was at work at the time of the incident, Birmingham police confirmed to The Washington Post.
Detectives said evidence shows the incident appears to have been unintentional. The case will be handled in the family court system.
No further details were immediately available, including to whom the gun belonged and how the child got it. A spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond early Tuesday to a request for comment.
Officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the boy admitted to the incident after first fabricating a story about what had happened. In an initial statement, authorities said a 911 call came in just after midnight Saturday. When police arrived, Cook was found dead, authorities said.
There “appeared to be no forced entry into the home,” but “a man was seen fleeing from the residence,” authorities said in a statement. Detectives were unable to recover evidence, according to the statement.
But the story soon changed. Detectives said in an updated statement that it was determined the boy’s account “was not possible” and that “the child eventually gave a true account of what happened.”
Cook’s husband, Djuan Cook, in a Facebook post said the deceased will be buried on August 12.
He wrote:
Ayobiyi Abeni’ Harris Cook affectionately known as “Yo or YoYo” received her heavenly wings on August 6, 2022
Funeral Arrangements for Ayobiyi Abeni Harris Cook 👩🏾⚕️🧡
Visitation will be held at Faith Memorial Chapel Funeral Services, 600 9th Avenue, Bessemer Al 35020 on Thursday, August 12 between 1pm-7pm.
The funeral will be held on Friday at New Bethlehem Baptist Church, 11th Avenue North, Bessemer Al 35020 on Friday at 12:00pm. Burial following at Highlands Memorial Garden Cemetery. 3115 18th Avenue North Bessemer Al 35020.
Orange was Yo’s favorite color so feel to wear it as we celebrate her life 🧡 (grey and white will be incorporated as well).
