3-Year-Old Pennsylvania Boy Whose Father Used Him as a Human Shield in 2019 Shooting Dies

Photo: Gofundme

A Philadelphia toddler whose father used him as a human shield during a 2019 shooting that stemmed from a drug deal has died.

During a Thursday press conference, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner called the death of 3-year-old Yaseem Jenkins “a tough moment.”

Krasner revealed his office believes the child’s death stemmed from injuries he sustained from being shot, years ago.

“We are awaiting a medical examiner’s report on the cause of death, but we have reason to believe his cause of death is his original injury,” Krasner said.

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“He was using counterfeit money to purchase drugs knowing that counterfeit money is very upsetting to drug dealers, and when they find out they’re being burned with counterfeit money, they act violently,” Anthony Voci, Homicide Unit Chief with the District Attorney’s Office, told KYW in 2019.

The shooting left Jenkins in critical condition.

During that time, Monroe was arrested for his involvement in the incident. Philadelphia police charged him with recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of a child, and later pleaded guilty to both charges.

During Thursday’s press conference, Krasner revealed that if medical examiners deem Jenkins' death to be a result of the injuries he sustained in the shooting, more charges could follow.

source: people.com