LANSING, MI — A six-time convicted felon from Lansing has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm that killed a two-year-old child from Lansing in October.
Police say Avis Damone Coward, 44, exited a car at the Sunoco gas station on Dunkel Road near US-127 on Oct. 24. Full details have yet to be released, but the gun allegedly discharged inside the car occupied by the youngster and his mother. The child was struck in the face, according to police.
Coward was then caught on video returning to the vehicle after the gunshot. Officials said surveillance tape showed the mother got out of the car holding her child in her arms as Coward drove off in the vehicle. The SUV was later recovered from Lansing area field. The vehicle had been burned.
The man was later arrested after fleeing from police. Coward has been arrested and done prison time numerous times since 1996, police say.
Officials say the child later died from the self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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