Coroner contradicts family, says Aurora 10-year-old’s shooting death a ‘homicide’; brother, 17, charged

AURORA | A 10-year-old boy who died in a shooting last week on Geneva Street did not shoot himself, the Adams County coroner’s office said.

In a statement, the coroner said Anthony “Jaliel” Hemmings-Taylor died of a gunshot wound and ruled his death a homicide.

Homicide is a legal term meaning that someone caused the death of another, and it does not speak to circumstances or intent of an alleged crime.

Hemmings-Taylor’s 17-year-old brother, Jalecc Celacco Taylor, has been charged with negligent child abuse in connection with the boy’s death.

Adams County District Attorney officials were not immediately available to speak to the coroner ruling.

Police have not discussed how Hemmings-Taylor died and, because Taylor is charged as a juvenile court, documents in the case are sealed.

The family said earlier this week that the boy accidentally shot himself, but the coroner’s report contradicts that.