11-year-old charged with manslaughter in death of 14-year-old friend

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities in Florida obtained an arrest warrant Thursday for an 11-year-old boy suspected of shooting and killing a 14-year-old boy on Wednesday night.

The 11-year-old was taken into custody without incident on a charge of manslaughter, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. He was being held Friday at a juvenile detention facility in Gainesville, authorities said.

>> On ActionNewsJax.com: 14-year-old boy shot, killed in friend's Lake City home

According to deputies, 14-year-old Jadon Vaughn was visiting the home of the suspect and his brother on Wednesday. The adults in the home had left for the evening, leaving the children alone. Officials said Jadon and the suspect began wrestling to see if the suspect's dog would respond to Jadon attacking him.

After wrestling, deputies said the suspect retrieved a pistol from an unlocked drawer in his parents' bedroom, removed the magazine and pointed it at Jadon.

The gun discharged and killed him, according to the report.

The suspect called his father and told him that Jadon had come at him with a knife. The suspect and his 13-year-old brother admitted to placing a kitchen knife near Jadon after the shooting, believing that they would be in less trouble, according to the report.

“This is a tragic and avoidable death,” Sheriff Mark Hunter said. “Our hearts are broken for both families; one has lost a son and the other will struggle with these events for the rest of their lives. To honor Jadon, I want to stress the importance of securing your firearms so a child cannot get to them!”

The case is active and ongoing.

Cox Media Group