The 15-year-old Hispanic male victim who was transported to an area hospital Feb. 8 died from his injury after being shot.
On Feb. 8, Garland Police Department detectives questioned the friend of the victim, who was with the victim at the time of the shooting. During the course of the investigation, the friend, a 15-year-old Hispanic male, told investigators that he and the victim were playing with a gun when he accidentally shot his friend.
The 15-year-old suspect was taken into custody and is charged with Manslaughter. His identity is not being released because he is a juvenile.
This is still an active investigation. Detectives are still trying to determine where the juvenile obtained the gun.
This is a tragic situation where two teenagers were playing with a gun and one accidentally took the life of another. Communication and education are key when it comes to gun safety. If anyone has a gun at their home and would like a gun lock, the Garland Police Department will provide the locks at no cost.
For more information on how to get a free gun lock, visit www.garlandpolice.com.
Tuesday, Feb. 8, shortly after 1 p.m., Garland police officers responded to a gunshot wound in the 300 block of East Vista Drive. Officers arrived and located a 15-year-old Hispanic male suffering from a gunshot wound. The juvenile was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Officers spoke with a family member of the victim who said he was outside, on the front porch, with a friend when they heard a gunshot. The family found the victim on the front porch and the friend had left the location.
Officers quickly contacted the second male who left the scene. He is also identified as a 15-year-old Hispanic male. He is currently detained at the Garland Police Department.
Detectives are not searching for anyone else to be involved in this incident at this time.
The victim is in critical condition. A firearm has been recovered.
It is unclear at this time if this was accidental or intentional, or which of the 15-year-old males pulled the trigger. This is an ongoing investigation.