Boston police crime scene tape.
Credit: Metro file photo
A 14-year-old Mattapan boy is due in court on Monday after being charged with the apparently accidental fatal shooting of his younger brother last week.
The teen, who was not identified because of his age, was charged on Friday evening with delinquency, involuntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm. The teens’ arraignment in the juvenile session of Dorchester District Court will not be open to the public.
Boston police officers were called to 617 Morton St. at about 11:40 a.m. Friday for a report of a person shot. When they arrived, they found a 9-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to Boston Medical Center where he later died.
The older brother was found by police a short time later allegedly in possession of the gun.
Authorities said the teen was recklessly handling the gun when it went off, hitting the younger child. An investigation so far has revealed that no one else in the home knew he had the gun, according to the Suffolk district attorney’s office.
The investigating is ongoing.
“Part of our investigation in the days to come will be determining how this weapon got into the hands of a 14-year-old,” Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said. “In the meantime, I want to make something crystal clear: if you know about an illegal firearm in this city, help us prevent another tragedy like this one. Boston Police are doing a tremendous job of taking guns off the street, but they aren’t mind readers. They need tips and information about these weapons before they’re used.”
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.
