ROCKWOOD, TENNESSEE — A 25-year-old woman, Breanna Runions, from Rockwood, Tennessee, has been arrested on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse after a tragic incident involving a 4-year-old girl, Evangeline Gunter. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) revealed that the girl was fatally shot on Sunday during a supposed demonstration of gun safety. The incident took place at a residence on Airport Road. TBI agents joined the investigation following a request from Russell Johnson, the 9th Judicial District Attorney General.
Authorities determined that Runions was responsible for the injuries leading to the child’s death. She allegedly retrieved a 9 mm handgun and, contrary to her claims of firearm safety education, mishandled the gun resulting in the tragic incident. Runions is currently being held on a $1.5 million bond at Roane County Jail.
Initial statements from Runions contradicted by her girlfriend and a 7-year-old present at the scene suggested that the incident was not related to gun safety. Instead, Runions was accused of punishing the children for various reasons, hitting them with a sandal and making them stand in separate corners of a bedroom.
