DETROIT (WWJ) -- A 13-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter after allegedly shooting his 12-year-old cousin at a home in Detroit Tuesday night.
Detroit Police Chief James White says officers arrived quickly at the home on Bramell Street, near West Outer Drive and Plymouth, around 9 p.m. Tuesday following reports of a shooting.
Police say a group of teens discovered a gun inside the home and were playing around with it in the basement. The Wayne County Prosecutor's office says the gun went off while they were playing with it, and a 12-year-old boy was hit in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
When authorities showed up, they found four teenagers in the basement and an adult male who was apparently sleeping upstairs. He is believed to be the father of the victim.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged the teen with manslaughter Wednesday afternoon. A preliminary hearing was held Wednesday and the teen, whose name has not been released, is scheduled for Aug. 16.
If convicted, sentencing is up to judicial discretion, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office told WWJ.
The prosecutor's office has not announced any charges against the adult.
"Once again we've got a child shot -- this one was fatally wounded," said White. "It's just troubling and frustrating. If you're gonna have a gun in your home, you have to do so responsibly. When you bring a gun into the home, everything changes."
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Police were able to recover two weapons from the home.
The adult was taken in for questioning, as well as the three other teens in the home -- including the 13-year-old who pulled the trigger.
The investigation is still ongoing.
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