At a Glance
- A 15-year-old Canton, Ohio boy allegedly shot and killed his 12-year-old brother on Jan. 9
- The teen turned himself in to police the following day and was charged with reckless homicide
- Police have not disclosed how the teen obtained the firearm
- Why it matters: The tragedy highlights the devastating impact of gun violence within families and leaves a community in mourning
A 15-year-old boy in Canton, Ohio has been charged with reckless homicide after allegedly shooting and killing his 12-year-old brother in what authorities are calling a heartbreaking family tragedy.
According to a press release from the Canton Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call about a shooting at a local residence around 10:40 p.m. on Friday, January 9. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered a 12-year-old male who had sustained a gunshot wound.
The young victim was immediately transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, where he died a short time later, the release stated.
Police quickly identified the boy’s 15-year-old brother as the suspect and began searching for him. The situation took a turn when the teenager made the decision to turn himself in to authorities.
In an update issued Saturday afternoon, January 11, the Canton Police Department confirmed that the teen “turned himself in to authorities and is no longer at large.”
The 15-year-old has since been formally charged with reckless homicide, which is classified as a second-degree felony under Ohio law.
Key details about the incident remain unclear, including how the teenager obtained the firearm used in the shooting. The Canton Police Department did not immediately respond to News Of Losangeles‘s request for additional information about the weapon’s origin.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community, with neighbors struggling to comprehend how such violence could occur within a family.
“It’s heartbreaking because I’ve got a 12-year-old as well,” one neighbor told Cleveland 19. “I didn’t know them very well, but I used to see the little boy outside playing. Being a kid.”
Canton Police Chief John Gabbard addressed the incident in a statement to local media outlets, calling it “absolutely heartbreaking for the family and a tragedy for the community.”
The case now moves through the juvenile justice system as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Key Takeaways
- The shooting occurred at approximately 10:40 p.m. on January 9 at a Canton residence
- The 12-year-old victim died after being transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital
- The 15-year-old suspect surrendered to police on January 10
- The teen faces a second-degree felony charge of reckless homicide
- Police have not released information about how the teen accessed the firearm
