ST. LOUIS COUNTY – A 6-year-old boy who was critically injured in an accidental shooting earlier this week in north St. Louis County has died, and a 19-year-old man previously was charged in connection with the case, according to St. Louis County police and prosecutors.
St. Louis County police said Antone Little, of the 400 block of Midlothian Road in St. Louis, died at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026. Police identified him as the child injured in the shooting in the 400 block of Midlothian Road.
Officers from the North County Precinct responded at about 2:25 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2026, to a call for service for a shooting at the residence, police said. Officers found a child suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The child was taken to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
On Tuesday, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued a charge against Arquez Phipps, 19, of the 400 block of Midlothian Road in St. Louis, for first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in serious physical injury. Phipps is being held on a $20,000 cash-only bond, with no 10% option, according to the release.
According to the probable cause statement, officers were called to the residence in reference to “a 6-year-old shooting himself accidentally.” The statement said the child was transported to the hospital with “a gunshot wound to the face” and was in critical condition.
Police said they recovered a firearm at the scene. In an interview, the defendant admitted the firearm was his and that it was hidden between the mattress and box spring, fully loaded, according to the probable cause statement.
The St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is investigating. Police said additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
The release noted that charges are merely an accusation and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
