Teen charged with negligent homicide after gun handling incident during substance use near Harrison
A 16-year-old boy is dead after what authorities describe as an accidental shooting involving a group of young men, controlled substances, and a carelessly handled loaded firearm on Tuesday.
Sheriff Roy Martin of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded at approximately 4:12 p.m. to a residence on Hickenbottom Road after a call about a juvenile who had been shot. Upon arrival, they found the 16-year-old male deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Investigation determined that a group of young men had been together at the residence and were likely using controlled substances while handling a loaded weapon. One of the juveniles was handling the firearm when it discharged, striking another juvenile in the room.
Based on the circumstances--subjects believed to be under the influence and carelessly handling a weapon that resulted in the death of another person--the juvenile who was handling the gun was charged with negligent homicide. He was transported to a juvenile detention center and is awaiting court proceedings.
Sheriff Martin described the incident as tragic and resulting in the loss of a young life. He stressed that firearm safety should always be practiced and that firearms should never be handled carelessly or while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
No names of the victim or the charged juvenile have been released, consistent with standard protections for minors in such cases. Both individuals are identified only as juveniles; the victim is specifically described as a 16-year-old male.
Additional specifics about the controlled substances, the exact number of people present, the type of firearm, or prior histories of those involved have not been publicly detailed in available reports asof today.
The case remains in the juvenile justice system. Further developments, if any, would typically come through official court proceedings or additional sheriff’s office updates.
This account is drawn directly from the facts supplied and corroborated by the contemporaneous public statement from Sheriff Roy Martin / Boone County Sheriff’s Office as reported by local media. No additional unverified details or identities have been added.
