A Milwaukee family is coming together after a teenage boy accidentally shot and killed his mother. The unnamed boy was simply trying to protect his mother from her husband, Ziare Dalton, 26. Throughout their relationship, Dalton was allegedly consistently abusive to Amber Gray, 34. The teen claims that the accidental shooting was a result of him trying to protect his mother from the abuse. Allegedly, the teen was also subject to Dalton’s abuse, which could have impacted his decision. Now, Dalton faces charges in relation to the killing. The teen will likely face some repercussions for his actions.
Dalton was charged with felony murder on May 5, 2025, the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal reported. According to the outlet, prosecutors can issue a felony murder charge against people if they’re accused of certain felony acts if they result in death.
The shooting took place on April 18. According to the criminal complaint, the 17-year-old boy shot at Dalton because the man threatened to kill him. He also threatened to kill the boy’s mother and other family members. A 9-year-old and 11-year-old were also in the home at the time of the shooting.
WDJT reported that Gray was the one who called 911. In a recording of the call, police said Gray told the operator Dalton “was hitting her and now he’s hitting her son.” A man could be heard screaming in the background. Then 10 gunshots were heard. After the shooting, the 11-year-old told investigators that the teen was arguing with Dalton and followed him out with a gun.
Dalton was shot multiple times, but survived. Gray was shot, but died from her injuries four days later.
When the children were questioned, Gray’s children, including the teen, told police that Dalton had abused their mother multiple times. The Journal Sentinel reported that police were called to the apartment complex six times since 2023. There were reports of property damage, battery, and a person with a gun. It’s not clear if the calls were for that family or another one in the apartment complex.
Gray leaves behind four children, the youngest of whom is a toddler. “She was a sweetheart. She was kind, lovable, respectful,” a neighbor identified as R.R.R. told WDJT. “Kids love their mother … and they’ll do everything to protect them. But I just hate that it happened that way. I know it wasn’t intentional … I know the bullet wasn’t for her.”
The 17-year-old boy turned himself in to police on April 26. He is also facing charges. Court records obtained by WDJT show he was charged with possession of a firearm by a person who’d been adjudicated delinquent of a felony as a juvenile.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women’s shelter domesticshelters.org.
