Daquell Collins, 6, Tragically Killed in Milwaukee; Mother Daquela Collins and Uncle Quintell Collins Charged in Connection with His Death
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the tragic death of 6-year-old Daquell Collins, affectionately known as “King,” has led to criminal charges against two close family members. Daquell’s mother, Daquela Collins, and his uncle, Quintell Collins, have been formally charged in connection with his untimely death, which occurred on the evening of April 1, 2025, at a residence near 51st and Hope Avenue in Milwaukee.
Daquell, who was beloved by his family and friends, was fatally shot under tragic and highly disturbing circumstances. The series of events surrounding his death reveals a series of lapses in responsibility, safety, and moral accountability by both his mother and his uncle. The consequences of their actions have sparked outrage within the community, leaving many to wonder how such a preventable tragedy could have unfolded in a family setting.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office has laid serious charges against the two individuals who were closest to Daquell at the time of the shooting. Quintell Collins, aged 21, has been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, among other offenses, in relation to the shooting of his young nephew. Quintell, who is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, is facing further charges due to his disregard for the safety of his nephew and the broader community. His reckless actions and the events surrounding the shooting have painted a picture of negligence, carelessness, and a blatant disregard for the law.
Daquela Collins, Daquell’s mother, faces several charges, including child neglect resulting in death and straw purchasing of a firearm. As a mother, she is legally and morally responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of her child. However, her actions, or lack thereof, led to devastating consequences. Despite knowing about the presence of firearms in the household and her brother’s illegal possession of weapons, she failed to take necessary steps to protect her son.
The shooting occurred after Daquela Collins received an Instagram video from her brother, Quintell, earlier on the day of the incident. In the video, Quintell is seen rapping and displaying firearms, with Daquell lying on a couch in the background. Although Daquela was aware that her brother, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms, and even saw him carrying a gun on a daily basis, she took no immediate action to ensure her son’s safety. She did not leave her boyfriend’s house, nor did she intervene to remove the guns or safeguard her child from harm.
The details of the shooting are chilling. Milwaukee police and emergency medical services responded to a 911 call placed by the boy’s grandmother, who frantically reported that she believed her grandson had shot himself. Despite attempts by first responders to save Daquell’s life, he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Surveillance footage from a neighboring residence captured two men fleeing from the home immediately following the shooting. One of the men was seen concealing an object under a garbage can in a nearby alley, which was later identified by police as a loaded 9mm handgun. The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to Quintell Collins as the primary suspect, given his presence in the home and his actions surrounding the incident.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a series of critical investigations and interviews with the involved parties began to unfold. Authorities discovered that Quintell Collins, who had fled the scene of the crime, was hiding out at a residence near 38th and Glendale. When officers attempted to apprehend him, Quintell fled the scene in a black Jeep with no license plates, leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase that spanned nearly four miles. During the pursuit, Quintell ran multiple red lights and stop signs, driving recklessly into oncoming traffic and even onto a sidewalk. At one point, he circled back through the same neighborhood, throwing money out of the vehicle’s window to a group of individuals who appeared to be cheering him on.
The chase ultimately ended when law enforcement deployed stop sticks near 36th and 37th Streets, successfully disabling the vehicle. Quintell was taken into custody without further incident, but not before putting the lives of multiple individuals at risk. His reckless driving and flight from the police raised further questions about his disregard for the safety of others, including the life of his young nephew, Daquell.
In a subsequent interview on April 4, Quintell Collins provided investigators with multiple false statements, including denying the presence of any firearms in the home at the time of the shooting. These statements were in direct contradiction to the evidence collected during the investigation, including an Instagram video that showed him displaying firearms in the presence of his nephew. Additionally, witness testimony and admissions from the boy’s grandmother contradicted Quintell’s claims, solidifying the case against him.
Throughout the investigation, Quintell’s lack of remorse for his nephew’s death became apparent. Authorities noted that he showed no genuine sorrow or empathy for the tragic loss of life, raising serious concerns about his character and the level of responsibility he was willing to take for his actions.
Meanwhile, Daquela Collins, Daquell’s mother, was also facing mounting scrutiny as investigators pieced together the timeline leading to her son’s death. As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Daquela’s inaction had played a significant role in the events that transpired. Despite knowing that her brother was carrying firearms in the household, and despite seeing video evidence of him displaying weapons while her son was in the same room, she did nothing to intervene. Her failure to act and her decision to remain at her boyfriend’s house, rather than ensuring her child’s safety, left many wondering how a mother could have been so neglectful of her son’s well-being.
The charges against Daquela Collins, which include child neglect resulting in death, are a stark reminder of the importance of parental responsibility and the devastating consequences that can arise from neglecting a child’s safety. By failing to take action when she was aware of the dangerous environment her son was in, Daquela allowed her child to remain in harm’s way, leading to his tragic death.
The criminal charges filed against both Daquela and Quintell Collins have brought the community to a standstill, as people grapple with the reality of such a preventable death. Daquell Collins, known to his family as “King,” was a young boy full of promise and potential. His life was tragically cut short by the reckless and negligent actions of those who should have protected him the most. The pain and loss felt by his family, particularly his grandmother, who was the one to call 911 in a desperate attempt to save him, is immeasurable.
As the legal process moves forward, both Daquela and Quintell Collins are facing significant charges that could result in lengthy prison sentences. Quintell, as a habitual criminal repeater, is currently being held on a $100,000 bond. The charges against him include second-degree reckless homicide, possession of a firearm by a felon, and numerous other offenses related to the shooting and his actions during the subsequent police chase. Daquela, meanwhile, faces charges of child neglect resulting in death and straw purchasing of a firearm, which could also result in a significant prison sentence.
This tragic case serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of neglect, recklessness, and illegal behavior, and the devastating impact such actions can have on innocent lives. Daquell Collins, “King,” is gone, but his story has sparked a renewed focus on the importance of safety, responsibility, and accountability in all homes. The community will continue to mourn his loss, and the justice system will now determine the fate of those responsible for his death.
