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2-year-old dies after being shot in St. Petersburg, father charged

Accident scene after 2-year-old shot in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Police car generic
Posted at 9:12 PM, May 28, 2023
and last updated 2023-05-30 05:08:19-04

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg Police said a 2-year-old boy has died after being shot Sunday night, and his father is charged with aggravated manslaughter.

Police said Aaron Creary, 22, got into an argument with his parents Sunday at the house they shared on 15th Avenue South.

Police said Creary pulled out a gun, and it went off, hitting his son, Armani.

Creary tried to drive Armani to the hospital, but as seen on surveillance video, he crashed hard into a car at the AAA Auto Care on 34th Street South.

The video also showed Creary getting out of his car, holding his son, and trying to get help.

First, from someone driving by, then from a woman who did take the child.

Police said Armani later died at the hospital.

A couple of doors down from where Armani was shot and killed, Tiara Williams and her daughter Riley were visiting grandma’s house for a Memorial Day barbecue.

“He was so sweet. So cute. Such a cute little boy," Williams said.

“Being a mommy, I can’t even imagine having to bury my child. Especially being two years old. Their life just started and it’s over. That’s devastating," said Williams.

Police haven’t specified if Creary intentionally shot his son or if the gun went off accidentally.

They also haven’t said if the boy died from injuries related to the gunshot or the car crash.

Creary is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and violation of probation. He's being held without bond for the violation of probation charge and on a $50,000 bond on the manslaughter charge.