Parents sued after son kills 8-year-old in puppy dispute

DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — The parents of an 11-year-old boy who fatally shot an 8-year-old girl after she refused to show him her puppies are being sued for $10 million.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed Monday in Jefferson County, Tenn., on behalf of the girl's mother, Latasha Dyer, argues that Jason and Mary Ann Tiller had a duty to keep their son from harming others with a firearm.

Makayla Dyer was playing outside her home in White Pine, about 40 miles east of Knoxville, in October when the boy asked her to get the puppies, and shot her after she refused.

The boy was found guilty of first-degree murder in February and sentenced to remain in state custody until he turns 19.

The lawsuit was filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court.

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