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Indiana Mother Killed Days After Burying 5-Year-Old Son, Police Say

An Indiana mother was gunned down days after burying her 5-year-old son, who was also fatally shot three weeks ago, police said. 

Kaylynn Davidson, 32, had buried her son Kyle Jackson last week after a 9-year-old nephew accidentally shot him, according to WSBT. 

“I don’t know if I have any tears left,” South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski told the outlet.

Five days after the young boy’s burial, Davidson was shot dead Tuesday night during a fight outside Linden Grill, police confirmed. 

“You have the Davidson family now that’s doubly affected, that’s still reeling from a five-year-old being killed, and now we have this on top of it all. I can’t even imagine or fathom what that family is going to have to contend with from here on out,” said Ruszkowski.

Video footage captured Davidson leaving the restaurant after allegedly hitting a woman. The South Bend Tribune reported that the two women started fighting, and “multiple people” had to break up the fight. Then, 26-year-old Kimarie Wright pulled out a handgun and fired “multiple shots” at the 32-year-old while she was running away from the exit. 

Police responded to the shooting at around 9:45 p.m. and discovered Davidson had suffered a gunshot wound, prompting medics to transport her to a local hospital. She later died from her injuries. 

According to court documents, Wright was arrested early Wednesday morning and charged with murder and manslaughter. 

While Davidson initially hit Wright, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s office said the 26-year-old was not in imminent danger, classifying the incident as a criminal act and not self-defense. 

“While the evidence suggests that the victim may have engaged in a physical altercation with the defendant, due to the lack of imminent threat toward Wright or a third person, the prosecutor’s office did not find that the homicide was justifiable,” the release said.

Mayor James Mueller of South Bend said the ongoing gun violence in the city had changed the lives of many families who lost their loved ones to senseless shootings. 

“It’s hard to believe that just senseless violence is compounding trauma from previous trauma. We have to break the cycle as soon as possible,” Mueller said.

He added, “This isn’t fate. This is something we can choose to do. we can come together as a community and put an end to this.”

An autopsy is scheduled for Davidson in Kalamazoo to determine the cause of death. 

Jahaura Michelle

Jahaura Michelle is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Master's degree in broadcast journalism. As a journalist with five+ years of experience, she knows how to report the facts and remain impartial. However, she unapologetically expresses her opinions on things she is most passionate about. As an opinionated Black woman with Puerto Rican and Dominican roots, she loves writing about food, culture, and the issues that continue to plague Black communities. In her downtime, she loves to cook, watch sports, and almost never passes up on a good Caribbean party. Vamanos!