Saturday, June 10, 2023 3:31 AM
Houston, Texas (KTRK) – The man accused of accidentally firing a gun that injured an 11-year-old girl in Fifth Ward made his first court appearance on Friday night.
Louis Earl Perkins, 37, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying a weapon after reportedly wounding his girlfriend’s little sister while trying to remove a gun found in the courtyard of an apartment complex near where children play.
The accident occurred in the 3000 neighborhood of Buck Street at approximately 9 p.m
Original report: Gun seized at apartment complex in Fifth Ward accidentally fires, injures 11-year-old girl, says HPD
Perkins was allegedly given the gun by someone who believed he knew how to handle guns. He also confirmed this to the judge by saying that he knew how to handle weapons.
According to court records, he unloaded the weapon, placed it in his room, pointed it at the wall, and then pulled the trigger. Police said the gun was then fired through an apartment wall and hit the 11-year-old in the buttocks while she was sitting on a sofa.
The 11-year-old was taken to hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. She did not suffer any other injuries.
Police said Perkins was arrested for questioning.
During his court appearance, Perkins and the judge had a lengthy interaction where he said he did not understand why the accident occurred. The judge then responded to Perkins, calling the shooting “reckless,” according to court documents.
It was revealed that Perkins served five years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced in 2018 for stabbing a person two years earlier, according to court documents.
There is still debate to determine whether Perkins was reckless or careless.
Perkins’ bond is set at $75,000. He is expected to return to court on Monday 12 June.
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