FORT WORTH, Texas — Two 16-year-old friends were inside an apartment at the Nolan Apartments off Hulen Street near Houston Road in south Fort Worth when one of them accidentally discharged a firearm, killing the other teen on Easter Sunday evening.
According to investigators, the shooting occurred just after 5 p.m. when officers responded to the apartment complex and found a 16-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite efforts, the teen was pronounced dead at the scene. The second 16-year-old, believed to have been playing with the gun when it went off, was taken into custody.
Police have described the incident as accidental. The family of the detained teen, who say the two boys were best friends and had known each other for several years, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
“I’m sad and upset because I don’t know what they were thinking, what they were doing with it. I don’t know how they got it,” a family member told reporters. “I just want to say my prayers go out to the family. I’m sorry for their loss. I’m sorry for what happened.”
The family of the boy taken into custody called the event especially heartbreaking given that it occurred on Easter Sunday.
At this time, it remains unclear where the firearm originated. Police are advocating for greater gun safety and are reminding gun owners to keep their weapons locked and stored in a safe place.
While authorities are treating the shooting as an accident, the teen in custody could still face serious charges.
The incident has left two families grieving, highlighting the dangers of unsupervised access to firearms among minors.