Family and friends of Trinity Randolph are mourning after a shooting left the 3-year-old girl dead. Trinity was gunned down while playing in her ‘Frozen’-themed playhouse outside her home with her father, 21-year-old Brandon Waddles. Waddles was also fatally shot in the shocking incident.
Police have arrested 28-year-old Evan Ross, who admitted to being involved with their deaths. Details of the case are sparse, but here’s everything we’ve learned about this tragedy.
Police believe the two were killed are a result of a drive-by shooting.
The Daily Mail reported that Trinity and her father were shot multiple times in a suspected drive-by shooting. Waddles was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after police arrived after 1 p.m on August 14. Trinity was taken to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville but later died from her injuries.
Trinity’s grandfather, Tyronn Howlett, said in a press conference that the little girl wanted to be a princess when she grew up and would spend hours inside her playhouse pretending to be Elsa and Ana from Frozen.
Evan Ross’ involvement in the case has still not been disclosed.
Police were able to track Ross using surveillance footage. The video shows a car suspected to be at the scene where the shooting happened. The car was later identified as belonging to the suspect.
Ross told police that he was involved in their death and was arrested on facilitation of murder charges in connection with the double homicide. However, the arrest report showed that Ross was not the one who fired the gun.
Days after charges were announced, mourners gathered at a library to pay tribute to their lost loved ones. Friends and family describe a bright young girl with so much ahead of her.
In a press conference, Trinity’s aunt told the Courier-Journal that her niece was a “technology genius” who could already make YouTube and TikTok videos and chat with family members on FaceTime. She also enjoyed playing dress-up with her cousins.
“She was just 3 years old,” Valerie Randolph, Trinity’s great-grandmother, told the newspaper. “It takes a mean, cold, selfish-hearted person to take a little 3-year-old’s life.
Trinity’s aunt, Tenisha Porter described the special bond she shared with the 3-year-old which formed after the murder of her son. 17-year-old Cortez Randolph was shot and killed, in a still-unsolved murder, in 2013. Porter said Trinity “was like a coping skill for me.”
“When I lost my nephew, the front part of my hair went gray in less than three months,” she explained through tears, the Courier-Journal reported. “When Trinity came into my life, my depression lifted. I had Trinity to always hug and hold and kiss.”
“Porter continued, Every time I saw her she was always saying, ‘Auntie, I love you,’ and I knew she meant it.”
A Louisville Metro Councilman shared a photo of Trinity along with a shocking revelation on Twitter.
My 3-year-old cousin was murdered in broad daylight with her father on Friday.
— Jecorey Arthur ⚜️ (@jecoreyarthur) August 16, 2020
Please visit the link in my bio to support her mother.
RIP Trinity. I promise to change this city that has failed you. pic.twitter.com/WoKtNb9kG1
In his heartbreaking tweet, councilman Jecorey Arthur shared that Trinity was his cousin and pledged to “change this city that has failed you.”
Another cousin, Taivell Porter, described his cousin to the Courier-Journal as a “bright angel” with an unforgettable smile.
RELATED: Man Arrested After Fatally Shooting His Unborn Baby’s Mother
Rapper Percy Miller, AKA Master P, offered to pay for Trinity’s funeral after he learned her story.
“This is a 3-year-old innocent girl that’s gone from her family, from her future, somebody who could have come out of the community and be the next president, doctor, lawyer, teacher,” Miller told The Courier-Journal Sunday. “This is sad.”
The rapper and philanthropist has given extensively to causes he supports in Louisville for years.
The family is still seeking support during this difficult time.
Trinity’s family started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Trinity’s mother, Tynekia Randolph, to help support her through what must be one of the most difficult times of her life.
The family also released a statement through the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Facebook page. It reads in part:
“Babies like Trinity didn’t deserve this! They are innocent, sweet, and loving kids that deserve a full life. We ask that this community continue to pray [for] us and all the families dealing with a tragedy like ours.”
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.