Mom of teen killed in accidental shooting: 'his future was brighter than that'

DETROIT (WJBK) - A Detroit family is in disbelief and is grieving after a 13-year-old was killed at a friend's house.

Emarje Watkins was among a group of boys enjoying a day off from school because of the snow. It was a day filled with fun and video games until the teens started playing with a loaded gun.

Watkins, 13, known as EJ for short, was shot and killed Monday afternoon when he was hanging out with friends.

"EJ, my son, my baby," said Erica King, his mother. "If you knew EJ, he was a good spirited person, loved chess, loved games, loved sports."

Watkins was a competitive chess player who won trophies and medals. He was playing with two neighbor boys, aged 14 and 15. When the grandmother of the older boy went to work, police say they got ahold of her handgun and the gun went off, killing Watkins.

"We were originally from the east side, relocated to the west side trying to get a better life," King said.

The grandmother of the two neighbor boys was taken in for questioning. Her grandsons were also questioned by police.

Meanwhile EJ's family is trying to understand how this could happen.

"EJ has always been a strong kid," said Joseph Drain, his uncle. "He always was more mindful and knew better than to get in trouble."

"I can't imagine it's my son," King said. "His future was so much brighter than that. Kids are supposed to outlive you; you are never supposed to bury your child."

Watkins was an eighth grader at Sampson Elementary, and very close to his 14-year-old sister who was in competitive chess with him since he was 7 years old.

If you would like to donate to the family's GoFundMe for funeral expenses, CLICK HERE