Akinwande Soji-Ojo
A 12-year-old boy has killed his Nigerian mother, Ayobiyi Cook, over the weekend at their home in Forestdale, Alabama, United States.
Jefferson County sheriff’s officials on Monday said 29-year-old Ayobiyi Abeni Cook, was killed unintentionally after the boy discharged the weapon, striking his mother, according to Birmingham Real-Times News.
The Jefferson County Sheriff Deputy Chief, David Agee, said that the boy had initially lied to detectives about the cause of his mother’s death after cops arrived at the scene some minutes past midnight.
The child initially told investigators that a man fled the home, but Agee said investigators determined the story was not possible and was fabricated by the boy.
Deputies about 12:10 a.m. Saturday received a 911 call for help at a home in the 2400 block of Freemont Avenue. When they arrived, they found Cook dead on the scene. She had been shot.
“The child eventually gave a true account of what happened. Evidence on the scene supports that the shooting was unintentional, and the offense will be addressed through through the Family Court system,” Agee said.
Cook’s husband, Djuan, has been a police officer in Birmingham since 2019. He was said to be at work when the incident happened.
“The family has been cooperative throughout the process and the child will remain with them. This offense is a tragedy for the Cook family and the entire community” Agee added.
There was an outpouring of grief on Facebook for Cook, who listed her occupation as a registered nurse.
The deceased’s husband, Djuan, in a Facebook post, said Ayobiyi, was known as “Yo” or “YoYo.
He wrote: “The funeral arrangements would be held on August 12. Orange was Yo’s favourite colour so feel free to wear it as we celebrate her life.”
Friends posted that she loved her family and was a “beautiful light in this world.”
“You were the sweetest person and kind to everyone near and far,’’ one friend wrote.
“The most beautiful person you could meet,’’ wrote another.
