A relative says a 4-year-old Miami girl was accidentally shot in the "heat of the moment" during an argument between other family members.
Ronald Jones Jr., 24, was ordered held without bond on a second-degree murder charge in the death of his niece, Nyla Jones. Police said Nyla died at a hospital after the shooting Saturday in Miami's Liberty Square housing complex.
Jones' sister Sharonda Mitchell said the girl's death is "eating him alive."
"It's heartbreaking but it was an accident and like I told my brother I forgive him, we all forgive you," Mitchell said.
Mitchell said Jones told her that he was arguing over money with another sister in a car when he pulled a gun from his waistband in the "heat of the moment."
Police say Jones fired shots into the car while Nyla, another child and an adult were inside. Jones told Mitchell the gun accidentally went off as he was putting it elsewhere.
"He did not do it on purpose, it was an accident. I talked to him myself and he said he did not know it was kids in that car," Mitchell said.
Local
Mitchell said Nyla's mother was devastated but does not blame Jones.
Nyla later died from her injuries. The other child and adult were injured by broken glass. Jones later turned himself in.
