He was later flown to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he died from his injuries, Hamilton police said Friday.
The 16-year-old was originally charged with misdemeanor assault, tampering with evidence, a felony and discharging a gun in the city limits, also a misdemeanor.
On Tuesday, Hamilton police upgraded the assault to reckless homicide, a third-degree felony. An investigation revealed the teenagers were playing with a gun at the Fairview Avenue house, according to police. The gun was accidentally discharged, striking Mejia in the head, police said.
Police believe the 16-year-old suspect brought a weapon in to the home, but it’s still unclear where he obtained the gun.
Reckless homicide is defined by law as causing a death with “perverse disregard for the safety of another,” according to Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser. There is evidence the 16-year-0ld had shot the .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun before and was familiar with the weapon.
But, Gmoser said, given the facts of the investigation, he does not intend to request the case be moved to adult court for prosecution.
The suspect was initially arraigned Thursday in juvenile court court on a felony charge of tampering with evidence and misdemeanor charges of assault and discharging a gun in city limits.
The 16-year-old boy was ordered to remain in the juvenile detention center by Magistrate John Bruewer until a Thursday pre-trial hearing before county juvenile Judge Kathleen Romans. He will be arraigned on the new charge at that time, according to Rob Clevenger, juvenile court administrator.
About the Author
