District Attorney’s Office Charges Parents for Roles in Shooting Death of 4-Year-Old Child in Northeast Philly
By: Philadelphia Dao
Tags: Gun Violence, Criminal Justice, Press Release, Philadelphia

CONTACT:

Jane Roh, District Attorney’s Office, 215–686–8711, Jane.Roh@phila.gov

PHILADELPHIA (April 23, 2020) — District Attorney Larry Krasner on Thursday announced felony Involuntary Manslaughter charges have been filed against a man and a woman in Northeast Philadelphia following the shooting death of their 4-year-old daughter early Tuesday morning.



“Firearms-related deaths that occur inside of the home are among the most preventable tragedies. Following several days of investigation by the Philadelphia Police and my Homicide Unit, we have determined that the death of 4-year-old Kastari ‘Star’ Nunez was more than a preventable tragedy, it was also a crime,” District Attorney Krasner said. “My office has charged both parents for their roles in the completely preventable death of their child, along with a third individual who was also present at the time of this incident. This is very much an active investigation, and I want to thank the dedicated officers and investigators who are still working to determine all of the facts surrounding this tragedy, in order to seek justice for a child lost far too soon in a most horrific way.”



Alhakim Nunez (DOB: 11/18/1990) has been charged with Involuntary Manslaughter (F2; upgraded due to age of victim), Endangering the Welfare of Children (F1; upgraded due to age of victim), Corruption of Minors (M1), Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver (F), Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon (F), Obstructing Justice (M2), and related charges. He is being placed on a $1 million Nebbia hold.



Iris Rodriguez (DOB: 4/4/1991) has been charged with Involuntary Manslaughter (F2; upgraded due to age of victim), Endangering the Welfare of Children (F1; upgraded due to age of victim), Corruption of Minors (M1), Obstructing Justice (M2), and related charges. She is being placed on a $500,000 Nebbia hold.



A woman unrelated to the victim, Ashley Gushue (DOB: 8/28/1988), has been charged with Unsworn Falsification to Authorities (M2), Tampering with Evidence (M2), and Obstructing Justice (M2).



According to the Philadelphia Police Department, the girl was transported by family members to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen late Monday night. Despite valiant efforts of hospital personnel, the girl was pronounced deceased shortly after midnight on Tuesday.



Investigation by the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit and the District Attorney’s Office (DAO) determined the girl was shot inside of her home on the 29XX block of Secane Drive while four adults, including both parents, were present. A .357 revolver was recovered from the living room sofa with five live rounds and one spent cartridge casing.



Residents of Philadelphia are required to safely store firearms in households where minors also reside. Free gun locks are available by mail — no questions asked — by submitting a request to Temple Safety Net.

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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.