Uncle made video with guns before 6-year-old is fatally shot, WI officials say (2025)

Two people in Wisconsin are charged after officials said a 6-year-old boy died from a gunshot wound after he got a hold of a gun.

Daquela S. Collins is charged with neglecting a child – consequence is death – as party to a crime and straw purchasing of firearm, and Quintell S. Collins is charged with neglecting a child – consequence is death – as party to a crime, second-degree reckless homicide, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, operating a motor vehicle to flee or in attempt to elude an officer, and obstructing an officer, according to an April 7 news release from the Milwaukee Police Department.

Attorney contact information for Daquela Collins and Quintell Collins was not available.

At 9:29 p.m. April 1, 6-year-old Daquell Collins’ grandmother called 911 and said, “I think my grandson shot himself,” according to a criminal complaint.

Authorities arrived and found Daquell on the living room floor and tried to save him but could not find a pulse. At 9:40 p.m., he was pronounced dead, officials said.

Officials said Daquell “obtained” a gun, and an autopsy later showed he died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Investigators later spoke with Daquell’s mother, Daquela Collins, who wasn’t home at the time of the shooting. She told them earlier that day her brother, Quintell Collins, sent her a video on Instagram of him rapping and holding two guns, one of which was hers, according to officials.

The video showed Daquell lying on a couch in the background, according to court records.

Daquela Collins told authorities when she received the video she told Quintell Collins to “put my (expletive) down,” officials said. However, she “did not leave her boyfriend’s residence and rush home to ensure the safety of (Daquell),” officials said.

After the shooting, surveillance video captured two men leaving the home, and one threw an object under a garbage can, the complaint said.

One of the men was later identified as Quintell Collins, and authorities found a 9mm gun under the garbage can, the same type of gun he was seen holding in the video, officials said.

A gun matching the description of the one Daquela Collins recently purchased was found at the scene near Daquell’s feet, officials said.

Officials said they found a cardboard gun box in a living room closet with a gunlock inside that had never been opened.

Investigators later uncovered messages between Daquela Collins and Quintell Collins indicating she made “straw purchases” for him, the complaint said.

A straw purchase of a gun is when a person knowingly buys a gun for someone who is prohibited from having one.

One message from Daquela Collins to Quintell Collins read, “Don’t be leaving that gun no where in here cause my son steady talking about it,” the complaint said.

At a vigil for Daquell, his father shared his love for Daquell, who he referred to as “king,” the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

“I know King is feeling the love,” Rashadd Vinson-Turney said, according to the outlet. “He just was a good kid.”

Others shared their thoughts on Daquela Collins’ arrest.

“His mama loved him with all her heart. She was there for him since day one,” Aundayous Burks said, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. “His mama would go broke for him.”

Daquela Collins is being held on a $10,000 bond, and Quintell Collins is being held on a $100,000 bond, according to court records.