Human Wreckage True Crime
Disturbing True Crime Stories, These include, murderers, kidnappings, serial killers. Solved and unsolved.
Human Wreckage True Crime
Shooter is Only 6: Dedrick Owens & Kayla Rolland
What if a six-year-old could become a school shooter? This chilling question lies at the heart of our latest episode of the Human Wreckage True Crime Podcast. Join us as we unravel the tragic events of February 29, 2000, when young Dedrick Owens brought a gun to Buell Elementary School and fatally shot his classmate, Kayla Rowland. Kayla, a beloved child with a heart full of kindness, had her life cut short in a moment that shocked the nation. We'll recount the haunting details of that day, from the shooting itself to the immediate shock and grief that followed, leaving an indelible mark on all who were involved.
In this episode, we delve into the troubling background of Dedrick Owens, who had been living in deplorable conditions, exposed to a life of neglect and danger. How could such a young child be pushed to commit such an act of violence? We explore the larger societal issues at play, including parental neglect, drug abuse, and the toxic environment that surrounded him. Hear from first-grade teacher Alicia Judd and get an inside look at the impact on Kayla’s family and the broader community. This episode is a poignant reminder of the innocent lives ensnared in the complex web of societal failures. Tune in for a deeply moving exploration of a tragic event that forces us to consider the weighty responsibility adults hold in safeguarding our children.
On the 29th of February 2000, six-year-old Dedrick Owens took a gun to school and shot dead six-year-old Kayla Rowland. He subsequently became the youngest school shooter in a nation plagued by such tragedies. Welcome to another episode of Human Wreckage True Crime Podcast. This case involves two six-year-olds one who did not comprehend what his actions would do and the victim who was taken from the world way too soon. I feel 100% of the blame falls on the shooter's parents. Let me know in the comments what you think. If you like what we do, please like and subscribe. Let's get into it. Kayla Rowland, 6, loved to go to church and watch her favorite show on television, barney. She was known as a kind and sensitive little girl who would help anybody. Her babysitter described as having a heart of gold, and in school she was the top reader in her first grade class. She lived in Mount Morris Township, michigan, with her mother and two older siblings. On the 29th of February 2000, kayla arrived for her classes at Buell Elementary School. The school was situated in the heart of a rough neighborhood rife with unemployment and heavy drug use. During a change of classes, most of the first graders were lined up in the hallway ready to move to their next class. As some children lingered in the homeroom, including Kayla, the first grade teacher, alicia Judd went into the hallway to check on the other children. Kayla, the first grade teacher, alicia Judd, went into the hallway to check on the other children. When the teacher stepped out of the classroom, dedrick Owens, also six years old, approached Kayla While standing in front of her. Dedrick announced I don't like you. Kayla turned around and retorted. So, without responding, dedrick lifted out a handgun from his pants waistband and shot Kayla. The bullet entered her right arm and traveled through a vital artery as a small crimson spot spread across her pullover shirt. Kayla said I'm going to die. To another classmate before crumpling to the ground. Judd, who heard the commotion, ran back into the classroom, saw the blood-spattered body of her pupil and called 9-1.1. Judd, I have a student at Buell School that is dying. I need an ambulance immediately. 9.1.1. Where's the child that has been shot? Judd, right here on the floor in my class. Oh God please, she's getting white. The little girl is getting white. 9.1.1. Is she breathing, judd? No, she's not Following the shooting. Dedrick placed the gun on his desk and ran out into the hall where he was detained by school officials and taken to the principal's office. Kayla was treated by paramedics at the scene and was rushed to Hurley Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 10.29am. Her mother's cries could be heard throughout the halls of the hospital.
Speaker 1:Dedrick subsequently became the youngest school shooter in a nation. Overwhelmed by such tragedies, he was taken into police custody where he explained what he had done. It was noted he showed no remorse nor did he seem upset. He simply believed that he had been naughty and that a bad thing had happened. After telling his story, dedrick sat drawing pictures on a piece of paper given to him by authorities. He thought this was like television, meaning people don't really die, he was expressing to police. He didn't understand. It was real, said police chief Eric King.
Speaker 1:As it soon became apparent, dedrick and his older brother had been living in a crack den operated by his uncle, marcus Winfrey, and another man, jamel James. Dedrick's mother, temerla Owens, had moved the two boys in with her brother and his friend after the young family were evicted from their home. The crack den on Julya St was notorious asa haven for cocaine users, which would often trade stolen guns for drugs. He was basically living in hell, said Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickerel. The house had been under federal investigations for drug and gun trafficking. Before the shooting, however, police were building a case and hadn't yet moved on the house. Even before moving to the crack, den, dedrick had been living with his drug-addicted mother, who would later confess she frequently exposed all of her children to marijuana, despite their young ages. In addition to Dedrick and his brother, tamerla had another daughter who she took to live with other relatives. Despite her evident problems, tamerla had been working two jobs in Oakland County in an attempt to get off welfare. At the time of the shooting, dedrick's father, dedrick, was in jail for violating parole. He had been convicted of cocaine possession with the intent to sell.
Speaker 1:An investigation uncovered that the gun used in the shooting had been stolen by Jamel, who routinely kept it loaded and often twirled it in front of the two boys, creating an atmosphere of reckless circumstances In the days leading up to the shooting. Several witnesses would later tell police they had seen Dedrick playing with a gun which wasn't kept in a secure place. Alarmingly, numerous phone calls had been placed to the police by the neighbors who knew that the living conditions were unacceptable for two children. It took a killing to get these people out of here. One neighbor quipped.
Speaker 1:It was uncovered that throughout his short life Dedrick had behavioral issues. He was known to kick and hit his other classmates and pick fights. A classmate recalled how Dedrick had punched him after he refused to give him a pickle. Even more alarming, dedrick had once been suspended for stabbing a fellow student with a pencil. In fact, dedrick had attacked Kayla beforehand and just the day before the shooting he had attempted to kiss her on the playground and she pushed him away. He later told police he had taken the gun to school in an attempt to scare Kayla after their playground altercation. Shortly after the shooting, county Prosecutor Arthur Bush said that Dedrick knew that the gun was loaded when he retrieved it from his pants and fired, but whether he could understand what the result would be was another matter.
Speaker 1:Michigan law states that somebody needs to be old enough to form criminal intent to commit the crime of murder. Moreover, the common law of the United States decrees that a child under the age of seven is not criminally responsible and cannot be convicted of a felony. Therefore, it was declared that Dedrick lacked the ability to form intent and was not charged with murder. Instead, dedrick was expelled for 90 days in accordance with Michigan school anti-weapons law and placed into foster care. Following the shooting, dedrick's father apologized for the shooting but refused to take responsibility. The only thing I feel responsible for is not being there in his life like I'm supposed to be like a father every day For not keeping the gun in a secure location and therefore granting Dedrick access to the weapon. Jamel James was charged with involuntary manslaughter. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 2 to 15 years imprisonment. Marcus Winfrey pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges and was sentenced to 6 to 12 months imprisonment. Tamela Owens, who would claim she had no idea that stolen guns were being sold inside the house, was charged with neglect.
Speaker 1:Kayla was the youngest school shooting victim in the United States until the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Kayla's mother, veronica McQueen, went on to become a staunch advocate for stricter gun control. I wanted to go back to semi-normal and me being a mom at home taking care of my children, she said. But this is leading me in another direction. I tried to fight it at first, but I have to follow my heart direction. I tried to fight it at first, but I have to follow my heart. That wraps up this episode. I sometimes cannot understand the mindset of some parents. This truly was a preventable situation. Thanks for joining me again. Hit the subscribe button if you like what we do. Till next time, please take care of yourselves, thank you.