9-year-old fatally struck by stray bullet while watching ‘SpongeBob’ at home

A 9-year-old boy was fatally hit by a stray bullet while he was watching SpongeBob SquarePants with his little brother in their Las Vegas apartment on March 9. According to FOX5, the stray bullet that fatally hit SirArmani Clark also pierced his brother’s leg. 

In an interview with the news outlet, the mother of the victims, Justine Tate, said she would have taken the bullet for her children if she “could have.” “I would rather them live without a mommy than to lose their lives,” Tate added.

The siblings were in their living room watching the SpongeBob animated series when a bullet pierced through the wall of their apartment. “We hop up out of bed we run into the living room. We heard Honor whimper. No sound from Armani… He doesn’t say anything. All I can visual at this point is my baby’s head dropping and falling to the side,” Tate emotionally recalled.

Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson said law enforcement responded to the scene of the incident around 6 pm, adding that the victims and their parents were indoors at the time, Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

“There appears to be a gunshot that came from a neighboring apartment that went through the wall and into their apartment and struck the juvenile,” Johansson said.

Johansson also said SirArmani later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. The deceased boy’s 6-year-old brother also received treatment for his gunshot wound at a hospital. “To me, it does not look like at this time that this home was targeted, but we’ll have to determine that through our investigation but at this time it does not appear to be that way,” Johansson said.

SirArmani’s parents shared fond memories of him, telling FOX5 that he “was the best.” “He left an imprint on everyone,” they added. “When I tell you that boy can throw a football better than his mommy and I can throw a football.”

But Tate said SirArmani’s death has severely impacted his 6-year-old brother Honor Tate. “He is so traumatized. He doesn’t want to leave the house… yesterday when I went to clean his wounds he immediately was like, ‘Mama, I want Armani,’” Tate said.

The deceased minor’s family said authorities have since arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal incident. The family has also set up a GoFundMe for financial support.