The heartbroken family of a five-year-old boy shot dead by his younger cousin celebrated his life with a memorial including the victim’s face printed on cupcakes.
Braxton Marvin Scott Dykstra was at his maternal grandparents’ home in Garfield Township, Michigan, on April 1, watching television with his sister when the gun went off.
The six-year-old’s relative had found the 12-gauge Remington shotgun his grandfather used to kill critters.
Braxton’s sister got up to tell an adult, but “didn’t make it through the door” before the device was fired.
Five-year-old Braxton Dykstra (pictured) was shot and killed by his cousin in Garfield Township, Michigan.
Cupcakes decorated with tiny cutouts of Braxton’s face were served at the memorial where heartbroken family members gathered to celebrate the young boy’s life.
Police were called to the home in Newaygo County, Michigan around 3:25 p.m. on April 1.
Police were called to the home near West 68th Street and Bingham Avenue in Newaygo County around 3:25 p.m., according to a report.
A young girl who was questioned at the scene told police: “(Name redacted) had a gun and I told her to put it down. He accidentally pulled the trigger on (name redacted).
She claimed the child made jokes about shooting her, but accidentally discharged the shotgun as he put it down.
According to court documents, a man at the scene, whose name was not released, said the gun was not loaded and that other guns in the home were under lock and key.
He told a police officer: “I didn’t even know where he got that bullet from.” »
Cops were told the gun was last used two months ago to shoot a raccoon on the property, which only required a single shell. He believed it had been used and then the gun was put back in the corner with the safety on.
Domynic Dykstra, Braxton’s devastated father, is now demanding justice for his young son – and expects charges to be brought, with the incident turning one side of the family against the other.
He wants not only the grandparents to be held responsible, but also the mother of the six-year-old child.
“It’s obviously a parent’s worst nightmare,” he told 13 On Your Side. “I hope we can actually get justice for my son.”
Braxton was known for loving to make others laugh, including his sister who is just beginning to understand that he won’t be returning to play.
Braxton’s father is now sharing a message about gun safety, encouraging anyone with a gun to make sure they are locked in a safe to avoid the pain his family faces.
He believes the tragedy could have been avoided if proper gun safety protocol had been followed.
“Right now it looks like grandpa and grandma are going to be (charged),” he told the outlet.
He said his son was “a little prankster” who loved running around making people laugh, including his two sisters and little brother.
“My daughter, she understood last night that my son was never coming back,” he said.
‘She realized he was never coming back, but last night I hugged her because she told me she couldn’t sleep without her ‘bubby.’
Domynic is now on a mission to share Braxton’s story and encourage gun owners to make sure their guns are locked up to avoid the same heartbreak the family is currently enduring.
“If you have a safe, obviously that’s ideal, throw it in a safe and call it a day,” he said.
“My main goal right now is obviously to prevent this from happening again.
“I’ve been through so much pain that I don’t want anyone else to go through it.”
Gun owners in Michigan are required to keep their weapons in a locked box if minors are expected on a property, according to the secure storage law that took effect Feb. 13.
Braxton leaves behind two sisters and a younger brother, as well as his loving parents, Domynic and Paige.
With Braxton now in his heart, Domynic says he wants to get his instructor’s license to teach young people about gun safety
Domynic expects the Newaygo County District Attorney’s Office to file charges as early as next week.
Under the secure storage law implemented in the state on February 13, gun owners are required to store their weapons in a locked box if there is any doubt that a minor is found on the property.
A celebration of life saw a procession through the town and a luncheon held at Newyago High School, attended by much of the community.
The Newaygo County Prosecutor’s Office says the case is still under investigation.
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