JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida teen has been ordered to stay in a juvenile facility for fatally shooting a friend while playing with a gun.
The Florida Times-Union reports that the 15-year-old boy will go to a “high-risk” facility, which typically takes nine to 12 months to complete, but can go longer. He pleaded guilty in juvenile court last month to first-degree manslaughter and tampering with evidence.
Authorities say the teen and several friends were hanging out in an abandoned Jacksonville building in September, and the teen began pointing a gun around the room. The weapon fired once and hit 14-year-old Henry Atkins Jr. in the chest. The group helped Atkins to a nearby fire station. Rescue workers took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
___
Information from: The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.