11-year-old boy allegedly shoots and kills 8-year-old neighbor over argument about a puppy

Sam Fox
Updated



An 11-year-old boy shot and killed an 8-year-old girl who lived next door to him in White Pine, Tennessee on Saturday. While officials have not released details on a possible motive, neighbors say the two children were arguing over a puppy.

Around 7:30 PM on Saturday evening, deputies found Maykayla Dyer on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. Sheriff Bud McCoig said that the little girl's next-door neighbor, a fifth grader at White Pine Elementary School, used his father's shotgun from inside his house to shoot the girl, who was in third grade at the same school. Neighbor Chasity Arwood said:

"Wanting to see a puppy, the little girl laughed and told him no...and that was it."


The boy is in custody after being charged with first-degree murder in juvenile court. A judge will determine if the case should be transferred to adult court at a later date. McCoig said:

"We lost an 8-year-old child, and our department is hurting."


The shooting occurred in a neighborhood where the children allegedly all knew each other and played together. Arwood recalled the incident as it occurred while she was watching a football game. She said:

"Watching the Tennessee football game, heard the bang. And then everybody screaming that he shot her baby girl."


Maykayla's mother, Latasha Dyer said that her young daughter had been bullied by her shooter. Latasha said:

"When we first moved to White Pine, the little boy was bullying MayKayla. He was making fun of her, calling her names just being mean to her, I had to go the principal about him and he quit for a while and then all of a sudden yesterday he shot her. I want her back in my arms, this is not fair, hold and kiss you're babies every night because you're never promised the next day with them. I hope the little boy learned his lesson because he took my baby's life and I can't get her back."


The boy reportedly came from a family of six children. As of now, it is unclear whether he has any mental health issues. The Department of Child Services is investigating the possibility. Maykayla's uncle has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the girl's funeral.


Photo: GoFundMe

Watch this video to learn what to do if your child is being bullied:

What to Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied
What to Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied


More from AOL.com:
13-year-old girl dies from bacterial infection linked to tampons after doctors misdiagnose her
Little girl just wants parents to get along in adorable viral video
92-year-old man sings sweet love song to dying wife

Advertisement