Former AGT Contestant DeShundre Vinson Facing First-Degree Murder Charge in Nephew’s Death

DeShundre Vinson, a 22-year-old former 2025 America’s Got Talent contestant who performed with the Chicago-based R&B vocal group CitiLimitz, made his first court appearance on Tuesday morning (Sept. 8) after being charged with first-degree murder in connection with the drowning death of his four-year-old nephew. According to News 9 ABC in Chattanooga, Tenn., Vinson has spent the past week in a local jail following the incident, which reportedly took place on Aug. 16.

Chattanooga Police stated that Vinson was babysitting his four-year-old nephew, the child’s six-year-old brother, and other children that day, and was not present when the youngest child spent roughly nine minutes underwater. According to an affidavit, investigators reported that Vinson let the two young boys walk approximately two-tenths of a mile to the apartment complex pool without adult supervision.

Police were already at the apartment complex for an unrelated call when officers heard screaming from the pool area. Upon arrival, they found people administering CPR to the four-year-old after a bystander pulled him from the water. Surveillance footage showed the child walking from the edge of the pool to deeper water, and the affidavit reported that the boy struggled before going underwater, where he remained for approximately nine minutes. The child was taken to a local hospital and died on Aug. 21.

Local police reported that Vinson and the leaseholder of his apartment left the area after the drowning and could not be located. Two and a half weeks later, police spotted Vinson at a different Chattanooga home and took him to the Hamilton County jail, where his bond was set at $750,000. Investigators stated in the affidavit that Vinson sent messages to the boys’ mother acknowledging he was not supervising the children at the pool—which featured a sign warning that children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult—and that he had a delayed response to the drowning, according to 9 News.

Vinson faces one count of first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated child abuse. He moved out of the apartment shortly after the drowning alongside the unnamed leaseholder. During his court appearance on Tuesday morning, according to Local 3 News, Vinson waived the ten-day rule, which requires a preliminary hearing within 10 days for criminal defendants who cannot make bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.

Vinson, who performs under the name Dre, competed on AGT last year alongside his cousins Marionn and A.T. The group impressed judges with a cover of K-Ci and JoJo’s “All My Life,” receiving a standing ovation from Howie Mandel and Mel B before being eliminated in the quarterfinal rounds.