Prosecutors in Oklahoma have charged a 13-year-old boy with first-degree murder in the crossbow killing of a 10-year-old friend.
According to NewsOk, Shane Edward Brooks, of Wellston, is accused of shooting his friends—the brothers Austin Almanza, 10, and Ayden Almanza, 8—with the crossbow on Oct. 21.
Austin died from a crossbow bolt wound to the abdomen, the state medical examiner reported.
The death happened last fall in the small town of Chandler, about 40 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. Authorities say 10-year-old Austin Almanza was fatally struck by an arrow, which traveled through his body and then pierced his 8-year-old brother in the arm.
Boy, 13, is charged with first-degree murder in crossbow shooting that killed his 10-year-old friend https://t.co/ofV0mASqUg
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) January 19, 2018
According to investigators, the 13-year-old suspect told authorities “he was hunting and accidentally shot his friends.” However, the surviving victim said the shooter “was mad at them.”
Ayden told investigators he, Austin, and Shane Brooks went to work on a nearby treehouse that day. Brooks was angry when the brothers attempted to leave. He jumped down from the tree, grabbed the crossbow, hid in some tall grass, then shot at them.
Prosecutors charged the 13-year-old boy as an adult, making him one of the youngest ever in Oklahoma to be charged as an adult with first-degree murder.
At a hearing Thursday, Jan. 18, a judge ordered a psychological evaluation of the boy to determine how his case should be handled in the future.
The boy’s attorney and mother declined to comment when contacted by The Oklahoman.
The Associated Press
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