12-Year-Old Arrested For Accidental Shooting That Killed Friend
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A gun went off, another child died and now a North Texas neighborhood is trying to come to grips with what happened. The accident not only resulted in the loss of life, but also criminal charges for a Garland child.
The name of the 12-year-old arrestee can't be released because he is a minor. The youngster is facing lifetime consequences, beginning with his stay in the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center.
Police say the accidental shooting of Matthew Cisneros didn't have to happen.
Those who knew him describe the 13-year-old as a kid with promise who was smart and curious. That promise, though, was cut short last month when the Garland teen and his friend began playing with a pistol.
Neighbor Erik Garza couldn't help but become emotional after hearing about the death of Cisneros. "I just started crying, I did. He was a really good kid. I didn't believe it. I didn't' know what to say…what to think."
Garza, who lives next door to the family, explained that he and had a shared passion for gaming. "He'd say, 'hey, can you come help me fix this?'
Garland police found Matthew's body in his home on Plymouth Drive. There was a pistol lying nearby.
At first there were some indicators the teenager's death could have been a suicide, but investigators kept digging. Last week, they arrested a12-year-old friend and charged him with manslaughter.
During an afternoon press conference Garland Police Department Public Information Officer Joe Harn explained what the investigation revealed. "They were playing with a gun and he [12-year-old] had it in his hand at the time. When it went off it shot Matthew."
Police say the 12-year-old has been forthcoming and admitted he ran away because he was afraid. Police, meanwhile, believe the shooting was accidental, but are still warning parents to make sure weapons in the home are secured.
"We have seen and put out weapons to see what kids will do, and tell them to leave them alone. If it's especially little boys, they don't leave them alone," Harn said.
Texas gun owners are required by law to keep weapons secured, if there is the possibility a child could gain access to them.
Garland police say they are still looking into how the boys got ahold of the pistol.
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