14-Year Old Charged With Manslaughter In Shooting Of 13-Year Old

FREEPORT, TX -- Police have arrested a 14-year old boy, who is accused of shooting a 13-year old boy to death at an area park Wednesday afternoon.

Police arrested the juvenile shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday, and charged him with manslaughter and tampering with evidence.

The shooting was reported at about 5:45 p.m., at Peppermint Park in the 1200 block of West 8th Street in Freeport, when someone called in a report that someone was setting off fireworks.

Witnesses told police that 13-year old Juan Borja brought a gun to Peppermint Park and was showing it to other kids there.

(Want to get daily updates about news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

Witnesses told police that Borja put a single round in the weapon and commented about playing Russian Roulette, when the 14-year old juvenile took the gun from Borja and pointed it at him and fired.

When police arrived, they found Borja laying face down in the park, with a single gunshot wound in the chest.

He was taken to Brazosport Medical Regional hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the 14-year old took the gun and hid it in a nearby field.

The shooting is under investigation by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office and the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office.

Image: Renee Schiavone

Don’t forget to like the Clear Lake Patch Facebook Page