Grandparents arrested in 5-year-old’s shooting death

GARFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Two West Michigan grandparents have been arrested and charged after their 5-year-old grandson was accidentally killed by a gun found in their home.

Charging documents confirm that Karl and Theresa Robart, of Garfield Township, have been charged with a felony violation of Michigan’s new safe storage law involving the death of a minor. If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison.

MSP officials told News 8 that the couple was arrested Thursday afternoon by troopers after an arrest warrant was issued.

The shooting happened April 1 at their home outside of Newaygo. The victim’s father told Target 8 that Braxton Dykstra’s 6-year-old cousin found a 12-gauge shotgun behind a door in the corner of the Robarts’ bedroom.

Police reports filed by investigators say Dykstra was hit with birdshot.

Karl Robart told police that he had last used the shotgun two months earlier to shoot a raccoon in his yard. Afterward, he racked the empty shell, put the safety back on and put it back in the corner.

“(The gun) is never loaded. I know it was never loaded, and I keep (the gun) on safety,” Robart told police.

However, he also admitted to police that he kept ammo “all over” the house. Investigators also noted there were no gun locks or gun safes inside the home.

The state law went into effect in February. It requires gun owners to store weapons unloaded and locked whenever minors are present.

Braxton’s 7-year-old sister told police they were in the bedroom watching movies when it happened. The cousin allegedly said, “I’m going to shoot you” before being reprimanded by the 7-year-old. However, he claims he accidentally pulled the trigger while setting the gun down.

Braxton’s father told News 8 he believes criminal charges are appropriate.

“(The adults) all knew there was guns in that room,” he said last month. “They should never have let children in that room, and now, sadly, my son’s gone. But never forgotten.”

The community held a celebration for Dykstra last weekend at Newaygo High School to show support for Dykstra’s family.

Probable cause hearings are scheduled for May 16, and preliminary examinations are set for May 23. All hearings will be at the 78th District Court in White Cloud.

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