In West Jordan, Utah, a 13-year old boy was accidentally killed by his 15-year old friend.  According to police, the two had snuck out in the middle of the night with a handgun and were “messing around with it” in a church parking lot.  “At some point, the 15-year-old accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting and killing the 13-year-old.”  Neither boy’s name has been released out of respect for their families.

The 15-year-old called 911 immediately. “He was distraught, he wanted to help his friend, and he took the steps that he could to best help” his friend after the accident occurred, a police lieutenant said.  He was nevertheless booked in a juvenile detention center on suspicion of manslaughter.

Police do not believe the gun was stolen. The advised gun owners “to practice firearm safety, such as making sure guns and ammunition are secured and stored away from each other, as well as never pointing a gun at anyone or anything you’re not trying to shoot.”

Source:

Spencer Burt, Spencer Joseph, “One Teenage Boy Dead, Another Arrested After Accidental Shooting in West Jordan,” Fox 13 (July 18, 2021).