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Warrants give new details on how 4-year-old was shot, killed in East Point

11Alive obtained the warrants for Damarkis Perdue, who, in addition to murder, also faces charges of second degree cruelty to children and evidence tampering.

EAST POINT, Ga. — An East Point father now charged with second degree murder allegedly left his gun on a window sill before his 4-year-old daughter accidentally shot herself on Sunday, according to arrest warrants.

11Alive obtained the warrants Tuesday for Damarkis Perdue, who, in addition to the murder charge, also faces charges of second degree cruelty to children and tampering with evidence.

The warrants also list the name of the child who died as Kamaiyah Perdue. An online fundraiser has been created to raise money to help with funeral expenses. 

Credit: GoFundMe
A fundraiser has been sent up after the death of Kamayiah Perdue.

RELATED: Bond denied for suspect charged in death of 4-year-old child after gunfire in East Point home

In a statement Monday, East Point Police said it happened at the Martel Homes apartments. Police said officers were dispatched to the apartments at Norman Berry Drive and determined "the gunshot came from within the residence."

According to the warrants, Perdue left the scene before officers arrived but later admitted in a police interview that he'd left a 9mm handgun sitting on the window sill before taking a shower with the girl's mother. They were together, the warrants state, when they "heard the sound of the firearm being discharged."

Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office

The warrants state that Perdue said he "ran out of the shower and observed (his daughter) laying on the bedroom floor suffering from a gunshot wound to the head." He then picked her up and laid her on the bed, according to the warrants, then disposed of the gun and shell casing before leaving the scene.

Sgt. J.L. Watkins, the East Point Police public information officer, told reporters that a family member led officers to Perdue.

The warrants allege the father showed "reckless disregard for the safety of (the girl) who might reasonably be expected to be injured thereby with the gun when left in the window sill."

Perdue is being held without bond after waiving a first court appearance on Tuesday.

East Point Police said in a release Monday that the department "continues to stress the importance of securing weapons within your residence."

A next court date is scheduled for Jan. 24.

   

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