Charges dropped in teen accidental shooting

An attempted murder charge against a 14-year-old boy was dropped overnight after Metro Police determined that he didn't mean to shoot his best friend in his head.

The victim, whose name was not released, remained hospitalized in critical condition this morning, according to a University Medical Center spokeswoman. His prognosis has not been released.

The victim and two friends had been playing with guns inside a Count Wutzke Avenue residence, near Hacienda Avenue and Maryland Parkway, when the shooting happened about 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Paramedics and patrol officers responding to a 911 call for help found the wounded boy in a bedroom of the house. He was considered to be in grave condition when he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital.

Police arrested a 14-year-old boy for the shooting, based on statements made to homicide investigators by a 13-year-old boy who lived at the home.

The statements, however, later turned out to be a fabricated tale created by the younger boy who was fearful he'd otherwise get in trouble, police said.

"He reported that the (14-year-old boy) barged into the house and shot the victim as the result of some type of ongoing conflict," homicide Sgt. Ken Hefner said.

"The juvenile who shot the victim didn't offer any information that conflicted with the scenario in his limited statements to patrol officers."

Officers booked the 14-year-old boy into Clark County Detention Center as an adult based on the nature of the alleged crime.

After a further investigation, homicide detectives determined that the shooter and the victim were best friends who had no conflict between them and that the gun the shooter was holding accidentally discharged, Hefner said.

The boy was released from jail, and all charges were dropped. The case is being reviewed by the district attorney's office to determine if any criminal charges are warranted.

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