Police won’t charge teen in accidental shooting of siblings

Jen Lawson

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 | 11:20 a.m.

Metro Police don't expect to file criminal charges against a 17-year-old boy who officers said accidentally shot and wounded his two younger brothers Tuesday morning in their home near Vegas and Rancho drives, officials said.

The victims, ages 13 and 15, suffered minor gunshot wounds, Officer Jose Montoya, police spokesman, said. A bullet grazed the hand of one boy and the other was shot in the foot.

"It certainly looks accidental," Montoya said. "No charges are going to be filed unless the district attorney's office looks at it differently."

The shooting occurred about 10 a.m. in the 1700 block of High Breeze Court.

The small-caliber gun was in a bedroom on top of a mattress that was leaning against the wall, he said.

The 17-year-old told police he grabbed the gun and was trying to remove the magazine when he pulled the trigger and fired one round, hitting both boys who were in the bedroom.

Montoya said the gun was belonged to a family member, who possessed it legally. The children were home alone at the time.

Police will submit the case to the district attorney's office for their review, and charges could be filed at that point, possibly against the adult who owns the weapon, authorities said.

The injured boys were taken to University Medical Center for treatment and released later Tuesday.

Other juvenile shootings of siblings have occurred in the past year.

A 5-year-old boy shot his 13-month old sister in the buttocks while home alone in December.

Their mother, Julia Jackson, 25, who is pregnant with her sixth child, was arrested on child abuse and neglect charges. She allegedly drove her daughter to a relative's house instead of getting her immediate medical attention.

In March 2004, 15-year-old Rocky Mendoza shot his 14-year-old sister Erica in the head, killing her, while playing with a gun in their east Las Vegas apartment.

Mendoza later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was placed on probation. The owner of the gun, Francisco Cervantes-Perez, 21, a relative, was charged with child neglect with substantially bodily harm and reckless disregard for a person.

Another shooting involving teens occurred about 11:40 p.m. Saturday in the 5100 block of Clouds Rest Avenue, near Rancho Drive and Cheyenne Avenue.

As a party was breaking up at a house, someone fired several shots inside the house, and others fired shots as they drove away, Montoya said. Bullet casings were found as far away as four blocks.

Four juveniles, ages 17, 14 and two 15-year-olds, were wounded. Three were shot in the face and one was shot in the stomach, Montoya said. Their injuries are not life-threatening, he added.

No arrests have been made. Metro's gang crimes detectives are handling the investigation.

Last month the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence gave Nevada a "D" grade on laws preventing gun violence.