Relative Of Slain Toddler Questioned For Alleged Retaliation Killing

The murder of a teen in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri, may have been a revenge plot by the relative of a toddler accidentally killed almost two years ago, according to reports.

Authorities said 17-year-old Kameron Harvey was shot in a drive-by shooting around noon Oct. 4 while riding his bike in Bellefontaine Neighbors, located north of St. Louis, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Harvey had been set to stand trial as an adult after he was charged with manslaughter December 2015 for the accidental death of 3-year-old Xavier "Zae" Robinson and was on house arrest as he awaited prosecution.

Two male 17-year-olds were apprehended about an hour after Harvey was shot and killed. One of the teens is a relative of the slain toddler, Detective Lt. Shawn Applegate told the AP. Officials released both teens and prosecutors are examining evidence from the case to present it to the prosecuting attorney's office.

"There are no winners in cases like this," Applegate said. "Both families are ripped apart and in mourning."

Harvey, 15, at the time, had been friends with the toddler’s older brother at the time and spent the night at his home, according to police. He was watching the toddler and had allegedly been playing with a loaded gun with a laser attachment when the weapon went off, hitting Robinson in the stomach and killing him.

Harvey fled after the incident but turned himself into police the next day.

The toddler’s parents, Semaj Porter and Shawmane Robinson of Florissant, Missouri, were charged with child endangerment following their son’s death, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The parents witnessed Harvey and the toddler’s older brother playing with the gun the night before and didn’t confiscate it, according to police. They are awaiting trial in the St. Louis County Circuit Court.

The AP reported Robinson’s attorney, Mark Byrne, said that it was "unfortunate that he had to lose his son that way and that the state feels he should be punished the way he has been thus far."