BALTIMORE, MD – A tragic and preventable accident has shaken the Pimlico neighborhood of Northwest Baltimore after 10-year-old E’vaa Sewell accidentally shot herself in the head with a stolen firearm at her grandmother’s home. The young girl succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, January 30, after being placed on life support at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Her grandmother, 51-year-old Alethea Mitchell, is now facing multiple firearms-related charges after police determined that the gun was stolen and improperly stored in the home, allowing the child to access it while Mitchell was at work.

The shooting occurred on Saturday, January 27, inside Mitchell’s residence on the 3500 block of Ingleside Avenue. Authorities believe the gun, which had been reported stolen in a 2017 burglary in North Carolina, was left unsecured in the home, enabling Sewell to find it and accidentally discharge the weapon.

Baltimore police arrived at the scene shortly after 3:16 p.m. and found Sewell critically wounded. She was rushed to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where doctors worked tirelessly to save her life. However, after several days in critical condition, she was pronounced dead on Tuesday.

Grandmother Faces Charges After Attempting to Hide Stolen Firearm

Following Sewell’s tragic death, police arrested Alethea Mitchell, who now faces multiple firearm possession charges, including:

• Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Possession of a stolen firearm
• Reckless endangerment
• Failure to properly store a firearm to prevent access by a minor

During the investigation, authorities learned that Mitchell initially attempted to conceal the weapon instead of immediately calling for help after discovering her granddaughter had been shot.

“Our investigation shows that rather than seeking immediate medical attention for the child, Mitchell prioritized hiding the firearm,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “This is unacceptable and contributed to the severity of this tragedy.”

Stolen Firearm Tied to 2017 North Carolina Burglary

Court records indicate that the handgun used in the shooting was reported stolen in a 2017 burglary in North Carolina. While Mitchell initially claimed the gun belonged to her ex-boyfriend, police confirmed that due to her prior drug and burglary convictions, she was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

At her initial court appearance on Monday, a Baltimore judge denied her bail, stating that her criminal history and actions following the shooting posed a danger to the community.

Community Mourns the Loss of E’vaa Sewell

The sudden and heartbreaking death of E’vaa Sewell has left family members, neighbors, and the entire Pimlico neighborhood grieving.

A spokesperson for Baltimore City Schools confirmed that E’vaa was a student at Carter Elementary/Middle School and described her as a bright, energetic young girl with a love for learning and a contagious smile.

Neighbor Alicia Jordan, who lives nearby, said she often saw E’vaa playing outside.

“She was such a sweet girl—always smiling, always full of life. It’s devastating to know that a child lost her life because of an unsecured gun in her home.”

Local activist Kevin Richardson, who works with anti-gun violence programs in Baltimore, called E’vaa’s death a tragic but preventable loss.

“This isn’t just an accident—it’s negligence. If a firearm had been properly secured, this little girl would still be alive today. We must do better as a community to ensure that firearms are out of the reach of children.”

The Problem of Unsecured Firearms and Child Gun Deaths

E’vaa Sewell’s death is part of a wider crisis in the United States, where unsecured firearms have led to a growing number of accidental shootings involving children. According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, more than 370 children under the age of 11 were killed or injured in accidental shootings in 2024.

Gun safety advocates continue to stress the importance of secure firearm storage, especially in households with children.

“A gun lock or a secure gun safe could have saved E’vaa’s life,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “We urge all gun owners to take responsibility for their firearms to prevent these senseless tragedies.”

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances that led to the shooting, including how long the stolen firearm had been in Mitchell’s possession and whether anyone else should be held accountable.

Meanwhile, Mitchell remains in custody, and if convicted on all charges, she could face significant prison time.

“We will pursue justice for E’vaa Sewell,” said Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates. “This young girl should still be here today, and we will ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

As the community mourns, local officials are urging residents to report unsecured firearms and take steps to prevent further tragedies like this one.

How to Report Unsecured Firearms

Baltimore officials are encouraging anyone who knows of an unsecured firearm in a home with children to report it. The Baltimore Police Department offers a safe gun disposal program to help get unauthorized or unsecured firearms out of homes before another tragedy occurs.

Residents can call the Baltimore Gun Tip Line at (443) 902-4824 to report a firearm anonymously.

As for E’vaa Sewell’s family, they are left to grieve the loss of a young girl whose life ended far too soon, all because of an avoidable mistake that highlights the deadly consequences of gun negligence.