Police in Arlington, Texas, asked people not to play with guns after a 4-year-old boy was shot and killed during a New Year celebration in the city on Friday morning.
Investigators say the boy, Messias Taplin, was shot by Zantyler Foster-Hooks, who was charged with manslaughter. Officers responded to a 911 call reporting sounds of gunshots at around 12:30 pm on January 1, according to CBS 11.
The interlocutor also reported that several people were seen carrying a bleeding child. Police later found out that Foster-Hooks and three other adults who were celebrating the new year took Taplin to a hospital in Grand Prairie after the shooting.
Upon entering the apartment complex unit, the police found no one there, but, in a press release, described having found a “crime scene inside the apartment”.
While the police were at the scene, a vehicle with two adults arrived. It matched the description previously given to the police. The occupants of the vehicle allegedly tried to escape from the police, but were asked to establish what had happened. The other two adults are said to have remained in the hospital. The officers also spoke to them.
The Arlington Police Department made an arrest in connection with the shooting death of Messiah Taplin, 4.
This afternoon, 21-year-old Zantyler Foster-Hooks was arrested in Arlington City prison on a manslaughter charge. pic.twitter.com/bC9iCDkHrT
– Arlington Police, TX (@ArlingtonPD) January 1, 2021
Police said two men and two women, including Foster-Hooks, were in the apartment dancing and celebrating the New Year when Foster-Hooks drew a gun. The gun went off and a bullet hit Taplin, 4, in the head.
Foster-Hooks originally told the police that the bullet had been fired into the outside apartment and shattered a glass door, but the police determined that this was a lie based on physical evidence and testimony from witnesses.
Foster-Hooks was later taken to Arlington City prison and charged with manslaughter. He says the shooting was an accident. Their link has not yet been established.
The exact relationship between the adults and the child was unclear on Friday.
“What makes this case so difficult [is] number one – it’s a kid, “Arlington Police Lt. Chris Cook told CBS 11.
“Number two – it’s avoidable. It’s so sad to have these conversations every year, reminding people who don’t fire guns, don’t play with guns. It’s a lot of responsibility when you own and own a gun.”
The city of Arlington was contacted to comment on this article.
Gary Miller / WireImage