NewsNational News

Teen shot 10-year-old, 8-year-old friends with crossbow, killing 1, police say

13-year-old boy in custody
Posted

A 13-year-old boy could face murder charges after shooting a pair of younger friends with a crossbow in an alleged fit of anger.

The unnamed teen was taken into custody Monday after the incident, which happened on Saturday, according to Oklahoma City's KOKH-TV.

Police in Lincoln County, Oklahoma said the teen was playing with a pair of brothers, ages 10 and 8, when he shot both of them with a single arrow from a crossbow. The arrow apparently went through 10-year-old Austin Almanza's body and hit his 8-year-old brother Ayden Almanza in the arm.

 

Sheriff Charlie Dougherty told reporters Monday that Austin died at the scene. Ayden's injuries were not life threatening.

According to NewsOK.com, deputies are investigating Austin's death as a homicide because the shooting allegedly happened after the three boys had "a disagreement." Charges are expected to be filed this week.

"Ten-year-old Austin's not dead because of an accident," Dougherty told reporters, "He's dead because of an action that took place."

A relative of the two victims told KOKH that the suspected shooter "is a likable kid, but he always seemed 'a little off'."

Clint Davis is a reporter for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis. Keep up to date with the latest news by following @ScrippsNational on Twitter.