Two Florida teens were “play fighting” in an incident that turned fatal, police say.
Clearwater Police Department said Thursday it charged a 16-year-old boy with manslaughter and violation of probation in connection to the Tuesday incident in which another 16-year-old boy was fatally shot.
Police say the defendant and the teen who died, Jacques Ford, were “play fighting” when the defendant picked up a gun and it went off in the tussle, striking Ford. USA TODAY is not naming the defendant because of his age.
Police said in a Thursday news release the incident is still under investigation and other charges could be added. The defendant was not listed in court or jail records online as of Friday. A spokesperson with Clearwater police told USA TODAY there were not further updates on the case as of Friday morning.
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In a verified GoFundMe for funeral expenses , Jay Henderson, who identified himself as Ford’s father, said the loss was devastating and unexpected.