Boys try to pin the shooting on drive-by shooters causing innocent motorists to be stopped and detained
LA PLATA, Md. - On Oct. 13, 2006 at 3 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to the 900 block of Laurel Lane in La Plata for the report of a shooting. The investigation revealed that a group of juveniles were in front of a residence when one of them, a 16-year-old La Plata boy, retrieved his father’s handgun. Believing the gun to be unloaded, the boy began playing with it in the proximity of his friends.
The handgun accidentally discharged and struck the victim, a 13-year-old Bryantown boy. The boy was shot once in his abdomen and forearm. He was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter to Children’s Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The juveniles initially reported the incident as a drive-by shooting and provided a suspect and vehicle description. Officers located a vehicle and suspects that matched the description on Crain Highway in La Plata. While they had the vehicle occupants detained, officers on the scene determined the victim’s friend had fired the shot. The vehicle and its occupants were immediately released.
The 16-year-old La Plata boy was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment. He was released to the custody of his mother.
Det. C. Bean investigated.