A Detroit man who accidentally shot and killed his 13-year-old sister at a Canton apartment complex has been sentenced to two years in state prison, followed by three years of probation under a youthful offender program that could keep the felony off his public record.
Today, 3rd Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey G. Collins ordered 21-year-old Jay‑Veon McKinney to serve two years in the Michigan Department of Corrections, then complete a three-year probation term under Michigan’s Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, often referred to as HYTA. The probation is tied to an involuntary manslaughter charge and comes with court fees and costs McKinney must pay.
According to CBS News Detroit, McKinney’s prison time stems from a felony‑firearm conviction, which carries a mandatory two‑year sentence. The involuntary manslaughter count was resolved through the plea deal that set up the HYTA probation.
How Authorities Say The Shooting Happened
The shooting took place on July 29, 2025, at the Ridgeline at Canton apartment complex off Joy Road and Honeytree Boulevard. First responders found 13-year-old Aymira Thomas critically wounded and pronounced her dead at the scene, according to Canton Township public safety.
Prosecutors later charged McKinney with involuntary manslaughter, felony‑firearm and careless discharge causing death, as reported by ClickOnDetroit. He ultimately entered a guilty plea that set the stage for this week’s sentencing.
Judge Presses McKinney On Why He Had A Gun
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Collins zeroed in on the question of why McKinney had a firearm in the first place. According to remarks recorded in court and reported by CBS News Detroit, Collins repeatedly asked McKinney, “What were you doing with a gun? Why do you even need a gun?”
The judge went on to stress the responsibility that comes with owning a weapon, saying that to own a gun requires a certain amount of maturity because it’s a deadly weapon.
What HYTA Could Mean For His Record
McKinney’s involuntary manslaughter case falls under Michigan’s Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which is designed for certain young defendants. Under HYTA, a person who successfully completes court‑ordered conditions can avoid having a criminal conviction appear on their public record.
The Michigan Courts’ criminal benchbook details how HYTA works, including eligibility, how a judge can assign someone to the program, and the requirement that defendants complete probation and any other conditions to keep the case from becoming a public conviction, Michigan Courts explains.
The Mandatory Two‑Year Gun Sentence
Separate from HYTA, Michigan law requires a flat two‑year prison term for a felony‑firearm conviction. That time must be served on its own and in full before any sentence for the underlying crime even starts.
The penalty is spelled out in the state penal code at MCL 750.227b. Legal summaries of the statute note that a defendant convicted of felony‑firearm must serve a two‑year prison term for that offense, MCL 750.227b (FindLaw) reports.
Community Outrage, Prosecutor’s Verdict And What Comes Next
When charges were first announced, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy did not mince words about the loss of Thomas. She called the teen’s death completely preventable, according to FOX 2 Detroit.
Hoodline previously followed the case from the early stages, covering McKinney’s arrest, while ClickOnDetroit reported on his guilty plea in June.
Under the current sentence, McKinney will first serve the two years required by the felony‑firearm conviction, then move into the community under court supervision during his HYTA probation. If he completes all conditions and finishes probation successfully, the benchbook guidance indicates the involuntary manslaughter case will not show up as a public conviction, although courts and law enforcement will still be able to see the HYTA records, according to Michigan Courts.
