O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) - A St. Charles County teenager will enter a youth detention program after admitting to charges in the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy in May.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that 17-year-old Dylan J. Woolbright pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the May 9 shooting of Owen Fielder in O’Fallon. Owen died three days later.
Police said Woolbright, who was 16 at the time, shot Owen while at a friend’s mobile home.
Charging documents said a juvenile witness told police that Woolbright asked Owen if he wanted to see his gun, then pulled a 9mm pistol from between a mattress and wall, handed it to Owen and then took it back. Woolbright “operated the slide and pulled the trigger, causing the firearm to discharge.”
Woolbright initially told police the gun discharged as it slipped from his hands.
He has previously been in juvenile detention for marijuana possession, truancy and alcohol possession, court documents say.
Completing the in-custody program, which includes counseling, education and vocational training, would enable Woolbright’s release at age 21. Formal sentencing is March 31.
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