BOSTON, Feb. 7. 2014—A 14-year-old boy has been charged in the shooting death of his 9-year-old brother this morning, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
The youth, whose name is not being released because of his age, will be arraigned next week on charges of delinquency, to wit: involuntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm. The investigation into the shooting this morning in their Mattapan home remains under investigation by the homicide units of the Boston Police Department and Suffolk DA’s office.
Boston Police responded to the area of 617 Morton St. just before 11:40 this morning for a report of a person shot. On arrival, they found a 9-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. The boy was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead of his injury. The 14-year-old defendant was apprehended a short time later with what authorities say is the firearm that killed his brother.
Based on evidence at the scene and statements by individuals including the juvenile, investigators believe the boy was handling the firearm recklessly when it discharged, striking his younger brother. The evidence at this stage does not suggest that any other person in the juvenile’s home knew he possessed the firearm.
The victim’s identity is also being withheld until full family notifications can be made.
“Part of our investigation in the days to come will be determining how this weapon got into the hands of a 14-year-old,” Conley said. “In the meantime, I want to make something crystal clear: if you know about an illegal firearm in this city, help us prevent another tragedy like this one. Boston Police are doing a tremendous job of taking guns off the street, but they aren’t mind readers. They need tips and information about these weapons before they’re used.”
The juvenile will be arraigned Monday in the Juvenile Session of Dorchester Municipal Court. That hearing will not be open to the public.
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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
