Woman killed by 14-year-old brother over Christmas gifts

A sister has been killed in Florida allegedly by her teenage brother following an argument over Christmas gifts.

Sister killed by brother

According to a press release by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Abrielle Baldwin, 23, died on Sunday, Dec. 24th, after her brother Damarcus Coley, 14, shot her in the chest at their grandmother’s house. This led to their other brother Darcus Coley, 15, shooting Damarcus before fleeing the scene.

Both Damarcus and Abrielle suffered single shot wounds. They were rushed to a local hospital. Damarcus is currently in stable condition while Abrielle succumbed from the injuries she sustained.

According to the release, Damarcus was upset that Darcus received more gifts while Christmas shopping with their mother.

“Through their investigation, detectives learned Damarcus, 15-year-old Darcus Coley, and Abrielle, who are all siblings, went Christmas shopping with their mother and Abrielle’s 11-month-old and six-year-old sons,” per the release.

The siblings then went to their grandmother’s home where Damarcus, Darcus, and Abrielle were involved in a verbal altercation over Christmas gifts.

“After Abrielle told Damarcus to stop arguing because it was Christmas, Damarcus told Abrielle he was going to shoot her and the 11-month-old she was holding in a baby carrier,” the release added.

Damarcus shot Abrielle in the chest while Abrielle was holding the child in the carrier, said the release.

“Shortly thereafter, Darcus exited the residence with another firearm and shot Damarcus because Damarcus shot Abrielle,” the press release read.

“Darcus then fled the scene, tossing his firearm into a nearby yard. Detectives have been unable to locate the firearm used by Darcus.”

Abrielle was a mother of two, who was looking forward to spending the holidays with her children.

“She was just a woman going about life with her two kids, trying to make a living and trying to make it,” Pinellas County Sheriff Gualtieri said in the release about Abrielle.

Proliferation of guns

According to Gualtieri, minors have been obtaining guns through car burglaries or by purchasing inexpensive stolen weapons on the street.

According to people interviewed by the sheriff’s department, the teen brothers were known to carry guns on them “all the time,” Gualtieri said.

Gualtieri said both brothers were arrested in May 2023  for committing “numerous car burglaries”, while the younger brother has arrests dating back to when he was 12 years old.

“This proliferation of guns on the streets and guns in this area and guns in the hands of these kids is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” Gualtieri said. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen it this bad.”

Arrest and charges

After Darcus fled the scene, he called his mother threatening self-harm. When he was arrested, he was sent to a mental health facility. Once released, he will be transferred to Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center, according to the report.

Damarcus has been charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and delinquent in possession of a firearm.

Darcus has been charged with attempted first degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.

The investigation is on going, per the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.