Nationwide — Tre’Michael, a 9-year-old African American boy from Alexandria, Louisiana, is recovering after being shot while spending time with a friend. Police later said the shooting was intentional, leading to the arrest of a 10-year-old boy.
The shooting happened on Dec. 6 while Tre’Michael was with his 10-year-old friend. His mother, Lakisha Ledguies, said she rushed to the hospital after learning her son had been shot. The moment left her shaken and searching for answers.
“I lost it. Not my baby. Not my baby,” Ledguies told WLBT.
Once Tre’Michael was able to talk, he told his mother the shooting was done on purpose. She recalled, “When the tube first came out of his mouth, and he was able to talk, the first word was me, ‘Mama, Mama, he shot me on purpose.’”
That detail later aligned with what police found during their investigation. The Alexandria Police Department first described the incident as accidental but later said evidence showed it was intentional.
The 10-year-old boy involved has not been named because he is a minor. Police arrested him on charges of aggravated second-degree battery and juvenile in possession of a handgun. Authorities placed him at the Renaissance Home for Youth.
“It was in my gut feeling that it kind of was on purpose because my baby doesn’t be around guns,” Ledguies said.
Police have not said how the child got access to the gun. That question remains unanswered as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, Tre’Michael focuses on healing as his family adjusts to the aftermath.
Ledguies is now urging parents to take gun safety seriously. “Take the guns away. Take them away. They don’t need them,” she said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover Tre’Michael’s recovery costs. It has so far raised over $4,000.