Boy, 10, is arrested for shooting death of friend

A 10-YEAR-OLD boy was shot to death and his 10-year-old friend arrested on a murder complaint.

The suspect, his head covered with a shirt, was escorted into police headquarters late Wednesday by officers and his parents. Investigators found a revolver they believe was the gun used in the shooting wrapped in a blanket inside the garage at the boy’s home, Police Chief Fred Savage said.

The body of Termain Richey was found in his backyard by his mother on Monday afternoon. He had been shot once in the head.

The shooting has rocked the community of more than 15,000, about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City.

Mr Savage said the two boys were friends. In a statement released early yesterday, detectives said the shooting happened as a result of an argument.

“At this point we don’t believe it was an accident,” Mr Savage said.

Officers found a juvenile who witnessed the shooting, but they would not elaborate. The boy was questioned for nearly an hour before police filed a murder complaint against him and took him into custody, Savage said.

A decision on formal charges was pending. The boy was taken to a juvenile detention centre early Thursday.

Termain’s relatives described him as a talented athlete who loved football and excelled in school.

“He had everything going for him. We were all so proud of him,” Marcus Stevenson, the boy’s grandfather said. “We got a lot of videos of him and his athletic ability. He was a good student. We’re going to miss him.”

The gun has been sent to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for analysis, authorities said.