Lansing, Michigan — A 22-year-old Michigan man is facing multiple felony charges after a 4-year-old girl died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a Lansing home — a tragedy prosecutors say was entirely preventable and the result of a firearm that was not stored safely.
According to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, police were called to a residence in Lansing around 11:40 a.m. on January 21 after reports that a young child had been shot. When officers arrived, they found the 4-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gun Found Improperly Stored Inside the Home
Prosecutors said the child accessed a firearm that had been improperly stored inside the residence, allowing her to handle and discharge the weapon.
The man arrested in connection with the case was identified as Maliki Pendergrass, 22. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the relationship between Pendergrass and the child.
Investigators determined that the gun was not secured with a lock or stored in a safe, a violation of Michigan’s firearm safety laws.
Prior Felony Prohibited Firearm Possession
Court records show that Pendergrass has a prior felony conviction, which legally barred him from possessing a firearm under Michigan law.
As a result, prosecutors charged him with six felony firearm-related offenses, including:
- Two counts of safe storage violations
- Multiple counts of unlawful firearm possession
Pendergrass was taken into custody by the Lansing Police Department and is currently being held on $1 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 6.
Prosecutor Calls Death “Completely Preventable”
In a statement following the arrest, John Dewane, the Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney, emphasized that the child’s death did not need to happen.
“This death was completely preventable,” Dewane said. “It would not have occurred had the firearm been safely stored as required by Michigan law, using a gun lock or gun safe.”
He added that one life lost is one too many, stressing the responsibility adults have to protect children from access to firearms.
Community Reacts With Grief and Anger
Neighbors at the apartment complex where the shooting occurred expressed shock and heartbreak over the incident.
A woman who lives nearby told WILX that the tragedy reflects a broader problem.
“They need to put the guns down,” she said through tears. “They need to go find something better to do.”
Residents said the loss of a child has shaken the community and raised serious concerns about gun safety in shared living spaces.
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Michigan’s Safe Storage Law Under Scrutiny
Michigan law requires firearms to be secured with a locking device or stored in a gun safe, particularly in homes where children are present. Prosecutors say the law exists specifically to prevent tragedies like this one.
Officials reiterated that children are naturally curious, and unsecured firearms pose a lethal risk even when adults believe a weapon is out of reach.
Case Remains Ongoing
Authorities say the investigation is continuing as the case moves through the court system. Additional details about the circumstances inside the home have not yet been released.
As the community mourns the loss of the young child, prosecutors say the case serves as a stark reminder that safe firearm storage is not optional — it is a matter of life and death.
What more should be done to prevent children from accessing unsecured firearms? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
