A 13-year-old boy is facing a murder charge in connection with the tragic death of his 11-year-old friend, who was shot in a residential area of New York’s Hudson Valley, as announced by police officials on Friday.
The teenager was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder following the events of Thursday morning in Newburgh, according to a statement from the City of Newburgh Police Department.
Authorities reported that the young boy shot his friend, contradicting earlier claims that the victim had accidentally discharged the firearm while playing.
Police arrived at the residence on North Miller Street shortly after 8:17 a.m.
“Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim inside the home who succumbed to a gunshot wound,” the statement detailed.
A firearm was retrieved from the location, and three juveniles who are of interest were identified following the police response at the scene.
The identity of the victim has not yet been disclosed, and further details about the event are still unclear.
Officials stated that he was enrolled in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, but additional information was not provided.
“The loss of a young life and the arrest of another is an incomprehensible tragedy that deeply impacts our entire educational community. Two children, each brimming with potential, now symbolize profound losses in their own ways,” lamented the school district.
“Our hearts are heavy for the families, friends, teachers, and all those affected by this heartbreaking incident.”
In the wake of the shooting, all schools in Newburgh were placed on lockdown as law enforcement responded to the critical situation.
“The prompt and coordinated efforts of the City of Newburgh Police Department, the Non-Fatal Shooting Task Force, and all collaborating agencies led to an arrest within 12 hours of the event,” police reported.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, State Police, and ATF.
