Dorval boy charged with manslaughter in brother's shooting
A 12-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter and possessing a prohibited firearm after his 16-year-old brother died from a gunshot wound.
"When evidence is sufficient, we go ahead with charges we feel are fair," said Crown prosecutor Marie-Claude Bourassa.
The boy could face a maximum sentence of three years in a youth detention centre. The case will be tried in youth court because of the age of the accused.
The 12-year-old will appear in court for a bail hearing on Jan. 25.
Bourassa said the boy will remain at a youth detention centre for the time being.
The 16-year-old boy died yesterday after being shot in the head at his family's home in Dorval.
Montreal Police Const. Simon Delorme said major crimes unit investigators interviewed his 12-year-old brother through the night until about 5:30 a.m. ET today.
Delorme said this is a difficult case, given the boy's age and the strong emotions involved. Investigators with the major crimes unit were still at the house this morning.
The boys were alone in their house at the time of the incident.
A spokesperson for paramedics with Urgences-Santé said it appears the two boys were playing with a gun.
Delorme said handgun belonged to the family.
Because police are still speaking with witnesses, they said they could not specify if the gun was registered or how it was stored.
Police were called to the family's home on Hamilton Place near Thorncrest Avenue in Dorval, at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
Ambulance officials said the 12-year-old called 911 to report the incident.
The boys' mother returned to the home after emergency personnel were already on the scene. She was taken to hospital to be treated for shock.
The 16-year-old victim was a student at Lakeside Academy in Lachine, Que.
A spokesperson at the school board said trauma counsellors are at the school today to speak with students.
