Detectives in Pinellas County have arrested a 17-year-old boy after he accidentally shot his friend in the back with a handgun at a residence in Seminole.
- Teenage victim accidentally shot by friend
- Deputies: suspect was already on probation, now faces multiple charges
- Victim was hospitalized with serious but non-life threatening injuries
The incident occurred at about 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 11439 60th Terrace North.
When deputies arrived, the victim and three other male juveniles were found at the residence. According to reports, the victim informed deputies that he had been accidentally shot.
He was transported to Bayfront Medical Center for serious, but non-life threatening, injuries.
Detectives interviewed the other minors at the scene. According to reports, they believe the teens had been smoking marijuana when the suspect started playing with a handgun.
The weapon was accidentally discharged, and the bullet struck the victim in the back.
Detectives say the handgun, a Beretta .45 caliber, was reported stolen during a residential burglary that occurred in Seminole on December 9, 2016.
The suspect – who we’re not naming due to our crime guidelines – was already on probation for a possession of a controlled substance charge
He was charged with one count of delinquent in possession of a firearm, one count of delinquent in possession of ammunition, one count of culpable negligence, one count of resisting an officer without violence, and one count of felony violation of probation.