By Mike Adaskaveg and Jessica Fargen
The Boston Herald
BOSTON — The mother of an 8-year-old boy who was accidentally shot by his young cousin called her son’s death a “tragic accident” this morning, speaking publicly for the first time about why the family initially lied to police about the child’s death.
The family first told police that innocent Laquarrie Jefferson, a first-grader, was gunned down Sunday night when three armed intruders stormed the Roxbury house.
“I said I was sorry about making up the story,” Lakeisha Gadson, Laquarrie’s mother, told reporters this morning as she returned to their Seaver Street apartment. “It was an accident.”
Gadson, 30, who appeared stressed and at times angry, said she didn’t want to finger anyone in the house.
“I’m sorry I made up the story. I didn’t mean to blame anyone. It was just a tragic accident,” she said, wearing a white T-shirt and dark-colored shorts.
Police originally said that at least one person inside the home at the time had gang ties. Laquarrie’s father, Liquarry Jefferson, 27, is a convicted killer who is serving time for a string of armed robberies.
Police are now questioning the 7-year-old boy who they say accidentally shot and killed Laquarrie. The two boys were playing with an illegal gun, police said. The boy and his mother voluntarily came to Boston police headquarters at 11 a.m. today, said police spokesman Elaine Driscoll.
“We are interviewing them right now,” Driscoll told the Herald, adding both are not in custody. She said it is still unclear where the boy and his mother have been for the past 24 hours.
Gadson, who returned to the apartment at about 8:30 a.m. today, told reporters that she loved her son.
“I’m sorry my son right now is dead,” she said.
A growing shrine to Laquarrie has built up on the concrete steps in front of 266 Seaver St.
This morning, Clara Ventura, who lives nearby, dropped off a stuffed animal in Laquarrie’s memory.
“It was very tough for me. I have a 5-year-old boy,” she said. “I couldn’t even imagine this happening to him.”
She called the child’s death “unbelievable.”
“It makes me feel cold,” she said. “Little kids and weapons. It’s crazy. They shouldn’t have guns in the home
Copyright 2007 Boston Herald