Darric Appleton, a 14-year old Phoenix, Arizona teenager, was accidentally shot and killed by a 16-year old friend.  7 children, age 5-16, were in the home at the time of the incident.  No adults were present.

According to police, the 16-year old brought a gun to the residence, pointed it, and accidentally pulled the trigger.   Appleton’s relatives called the accident “an innocent consequence of a loaded gun being in the wrong hands.”  The 16-year old was arrested and charged with manslaughter and weapons violations.

            Family members also said:

“Darric was a great kid and a typical teenager. He loved playing video games and was very involved with sports. His father had just taken him to buy track cleats a few days ago in anticipation for the upcoming track season. His mother worked very hard at providing him with a stable home. Both are suffering right now.”

The incident was the second death of a black high school athlete in the last week.

Sources:

Nicole Garcia, “Phoenix police: 16-year-old Arrested in Connection to Shooting that Left Teenage Boy Dead,” Fox 10 (March 10, 2020).

“14-year-old Boy Shot, Killed at Laveen Home Monday Was an Athlete at Tempe High,” AZ Family (March 10, 2020).