Authorities in New York have brought charges against a 12-year-old boy who fatally shot his 15-year-old cousin. Per the Daily News, the fatal Sunday incident occurred at the victim Jasai Guy’s family home at the Howard Houses apartment complex in Brooklyn.
The 12-year-old and his cousin were under the care of their grandparents when the shooting happened. Police said it’s unclear how the juveniles gained access to the gun. The unidentified 12-year-old has since been charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and criminal possession of a weapon.
“I’m not good,” Jasai’s grandfather, Eric Guy, said. “I’m sick right now about it. I really can’t form thoughts. I’m trying to get myself together.”
Jasai is said to have sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. A police source who spoke with amNewYork said that Jasai’s grandfather had been asleep after taking sleeping pills when the shooting occurred.
A neighbor told The News that the 12-year-old was heard saying he “didn’t mean to do it” as his cousin was being moved out of the building on a stretcher by first responders. “I shot my cousin by accident,” the 12-year-old told police. “I don’t want him to die.”
Jasai later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. “He was a loving child,” Jasai’s maternal grandmother, Cassandra Vassell, said. “Very, very smart. He even made it to the spelling bee at I.S. 61.”
“He has his little group of friends [and]they all are like, geeks,” Vassell added. “They play video games and talk to each other on their headsets.” She also said everyone is “in pain right now from this.” “They’re so hurt. When he came to us, he was such a blessing,” she said.
The 12-year-old was released to the custody of his mother after a hearing on Monday, the Daily News reported. Meanwhile, Jasai’s father, Derelle Guy, at a Monday night memorial in honor of his son, asked sympathizers to pray for his 12-year-old nephew.
“He’s an innocent child and he had no ill intent in his heart,” Guy said.
