Teenager Mistakes Little Brother for Intruder, Shoots Him
According to police the 16-year-old mistook the 12-year-old for an intruder.
March 23, 2013— -- A teenager shot and killed his 12-year-old brother because he mistook him for an intruder in their Florida home, police said today.
According to police the 16-year-old was home alone on Friday when his younger brother came home.
"He heard some noises and he called out for his brother and he didn't answer and then his brother startled him," Orlando Police Department Detective Mike Moreschi told ABCNews.com affiliate WFTV.
Scared that there was an intruder in the home, the older boy grabbed a gun and shot his brother, according to police. Once the teen realized what had happened, he immediately called 911.
The younger boy was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The teenager and his parents were taken to the police station for questioning and released hours later.
"He's devastated, obviously. His parents are devastated by what happened and it's just a really bad situation for the family," Moreschi said.
Police said the teenager would not be charged with any crime related to the shooting, although the state attorney's office will review the case for possible negligence.
Neighbors of the family were in disbelief over the shooting.
"All I can say is it's so scary," Julia Bracey told WFTV. "It's heartbreaking I can't imagine what the parents are going through right now."
Francis Ikwueme, who also lives near the family in the Orange County subdivision, found the shooting devastating.
"It cuts deep and it breaks my heart," Ikwueme told WFTV. "There was the shooting up in Connecticut. Anytime young life or life in general has to be cut short senselessly, it's a very unfortunate thing."
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