STOCKTON, Calif. — A 13-year-old was shot and killed in Stockton early Friday morning in what police say was an accidental shooting, and the suspect is the victim’s brother.
It happened around 2 a.m. Friday at their home on Flint Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found the 13-year-old with a gunshot wound and he ultimately died from his injuries.
Police say his 16-year-old brother also accidentally shot himself in the hand with the gun too. He’s now in San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of manslaughter, negligent discharge of a firearm and weapons charges.
The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the 13-year-old as Richard Walker, based on files from the San Joaquin General Hospital.
Walker was a 6th grader at Marshall Elementary School in the Stockton Unified School District.
“His friends and his teachers and the principal have all been notified … it’s been very hard and sad news for everybody,” said Melinda Meza, spokesperson for the school district.
Meza says he loved playing basketball.
“He’s been described by some of his peers as a great athlete, a baller, and someone they really loved,” she said.
The district is providing support for students and staff through its crisis team, which is made up of mental health clinicians, school psychologists and counselors.
There are still a lot of unanswered questions, like where the teen got the gun. Police are still investigating.
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