The prosecutor describes it as a "very tragic event" and emphasizes that the intention was not to harm.
An 18-year-old, who is now being prosecuted for gross negligence leading to another's death, handled a rebuilt starting pistol.
He had removed the magazine with the cartridges – but beforehand, he had cocked the pistol, explains prosecutor Caroline Carlquist.
A bullet remained in the barrel when he "played" with the pistol, if you will, and pressed the trigger.
The shot went through a teenager's head and then hit another boy. The first one hit died after a few days and the other is still being treated in hospital.
He will have lifelong injuries. He is paralyzed in half of his body, says the prosecutor.
It was a now 16-year-old boy who retrieved the rebuilt starting pistol and took it to the stairwell where the gang was gathered about an hour before midnight on New Year's Eve.
He is being prosecuted along with the 18-year-old for gross weapons offense, which he denies. He is also being prosecuted for gross protection of a criminal since he hid the weapon afterwards.
It's a tragic event no matter how you turn it, but it also shows that weapons are deadly, says Caroline Carlquist.
