The heartbroken family of a five-year-old boy who was shot dead by his young cousin celebrated his life with a memorial that included the victim’s face printed on cupcakes.
Braxton Marvin Scott Dykstra was at his maternal grandparents’ house in Garfield Township, Michigan, on April 1, watching television with his sister when the gun went off.
The six-year-old relative had found the Remington 12-gauge pump-action shotgun his grandfather used to kill bugs.
Braxton’s sister got up to tell an adult, but he “didn’t make it out the door” before he was fired.
Five-year-old Braxton Dykstra (pictured) was shot and killed by his cousin in Garfield Township, Michigan.
Cupcakes adorned with small cutouts of Braxton’s face were served at the memorial where members of the heartbroken family gathered to celebrate the young man’s life.
Police were called to the Newaygo County, Michigan home around 3:25 p.m. on April 1.
According to a report, police were called to the home near West 68th Street and Bingham Avenue in Newaygo County around 3:25 p.m.
A girl who was interviewed at the scene told police: ‘(Name redacted) had a gun and I told him to put it down. She accidentally pulled the trigger (name redacted).’
She claimed the boy had been making jokes about shooting her, but accidentally fired the shotgun while putting it down.
According to court documents, a man at the scene, whose name was not released, said the gun was not loaded and that other weapons in the home were locked away.
He told a police officer: “I didn’t even know where he got that bullet from.”
Police were told the gun was last used two months ago to shoot a raccoon on the property, which required only one projectile. He believed it had been used and then the gun was returned to the corner with the safety on.
Domynic Dykstra, Braxton’s devastated father, is now demanding justice for his young son and hopes charges will be filed as the incident turned one side of the family against the other.
He wants not only the grandparents to be held accountable, but also the mother of the six-year-old boy.
“It’s obviously a parent’s worst nightmare,” he said. 13 On your side. “I hope we can get justice for my son.”
Braxton was known to enjoy making other people laugh, including her sister, who is just beginning to understand that she will never play again.
Braxton’s father is now sharing a message about gun safety, encouraging anyone with a firearm to make sure it is kept in a safe to avoid the pain his family faces.
He believes the tragedy could have been avoided if proper gun safety protocol had been followed.
“As of now, it only looks like grandpa and grandma will be (charged),” he told the outlet.
She says her son was “a little prankster” who enjoyed running around making people laugh, including his two sisters and a little brother.
“My daughter, last night you realized that my son will never come back,” she said.
“She understood that he would never come back, but last night I held her tight because she told me she couldn’t sleep without her” baby. ”
Domynic is now on a mission to share Braxton’s story and encourage gun owners to make sure their guns are locked up to avoid the same pain the family is now enduring.
“If you have a safe, obviously, that’s ideal: throw it in a safe and call it a day,” he said.
‘My main goal right now is obviously to prevent this from happening again.
“I’ve been through so much pain, I don’t want anyone else to go through it.”
Gun owners in Michigan must store their guns in a locked box in case minors are on a property, under the safe storage law that went into effect Feb. 13.
Braxton leaves behind two sisters and a little brother, as well as her loving parents Domynic and Paige.
With Braxton now in his heart, Domynic says he wants to get his instructor license to teach young people about gun safety.
Domynic expects the Newaygo County Prosecutor’s Office to file charges next week.
Under the state’s safe storage law implemented Feb. 13, gun owners must store their guns in a locked gun case if there is an expectation that a minor will be on the property.
A celebration of life included a motorcade through the town and a luncheon at Newyago High School, attended by much of the community.
The Newaygo County Prosecutor’s Office says the case is still under review.