We now know the name of the child who died after a shooting on Leland Avenue in South Bend.
The victim is identified as Javion Sexton. He was just one year old.
The autopsy results show Sexton died of a gunshot wound. The manner of his death was ruled accidental.
Police were called to the 600 block of Leland Avenue late Thursday morning, but prior to their arrival, a relative took Javion to the hospital.
The initial investigation shows a four-year-old sibling accidentally fired the gun, striking the one-year-old.
Metro Homicide is continuing to investigate factors into the shooting.
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office released the following information on Friday, June 19:
An autopsy was conducted today for the deceased victim of yesterday’s shooting on Leland Avenue. The victim has been identified as Javion Sexton, B/M, 1 year old.
After the autopsy, the forensic pathologist determined his cause of death to be gunshot wound and his manner of death to be accidental.
At approximately 11:54 a.m. yesterday, June 18th, South Bend Police Department officers
were dispatched to the 600 block of Leland Avenue, South Bend, in reference to a
shooting.
Prior to officers’ arrival, a family member of the child transported the child to the hospital. Shortly after arrival, officers were notified by dispatch that a young gunshot victim was brought to the hospital and admitted with life-threatening injuries.
Upon arrival at the hospital, officers were able to confirm that the young child, Javion
Sexton, was the shooting victim from Leland Avenue. The St. Joseph County Metro
Homicide Unit was activated, per protocol, to handle the investigation. Javion
subsequently died yesterday afternoon from his injuries.
Initial indications are that Javion Sexton was struck after the accidental discharge of a
firearm by a four year old sibling.
This remains an active and on-going investigation, with assistance from the St.
Joseph County Special Victims Unit. No arrests have been made nor charges filed
in connection with this investigation.
