KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The man who accidentally shot and killed an 11-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, girl as she played at a family Fourth of July celebration pled guilty on Thursday.
Aaron Sullivan, 50, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Blair Shanahan Lane, who was celebrating the holiday with family and friends when she was struck in the neck by a stray bullet that had traveled over 1,000 feet from a nearby apartment complex.
Sullivan turned himself in to police a few days later and admitted that he and three friends had been shooting his gun in the air to celebrate the holiday, and apologized to Lane’s family, saying that he never intended to hurt anybody.
In court, Sullivan says that he wasn’t even sure if he was the one who fired the fatal shot, but because the gun was his, he took full responsibility for the incident.
“I caused a little girl’s death and I am sorry,” said Sullivan. “I can’t stress that enough, it was an accident.”
The fact that Sullivan took responsibility for the tragedy meant a lot to Lane’s mother.
“For law enforcement, this day represents victory,” said Michele Lane-DeMoss. “For us, Blair’s family, it signifies justice for Blair.”
Sullivan is set to be sentenced on February 3rd. He could receive up to seven years in prison.
