Flint Teen Charged With Murder In Best Friend's Death
FLINT (WWJ/AP) - A prosecutor has charged a 16-year-old Flint boy as an adult in the shotgun death of a 15-year-old.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton says he filed adult murder and other charges against 16-year-old Shukur T. Brown on Tuesday.
Before turning himself in, Brown held a news conference at a church last Thursday and said he accidentally shot his "best friend" Gianni Herron while playing with a gun they bought on the street for $40. The shooting happened in the basement of a house before dawn on New Year's Day.
Glenn Cotton, Brown's attorney, said the teen was courageous in coming forward with the truth.
"Doing what is right shall always, always set you free," Cotton said, adding that gun control in the city of Flint must be addressed.
"It was so easy for these guns to get had at 2 o'clock in the morning, easier than it was to get new shoes at Foot Locker," he said.
Brown even made a plea for others in Flint to be a part of the solution and stop the violence.
"Everybody should turn in their guns... It was an accident," he said through tears.
Flint police stood in the back of the room until the news conference was over. Brown was then taken into custody.
Leyton says he charged Brown with second-degree murder, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony.
"Shukur Brown illegally possessed a short-barreled shotgun and wantonly and willfully disregarded the life and general safety of the victim when the gun was fired," Leyton in a statement.
If convicted as charged, Brown could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Gianni's funeral is at 2 p.m. Friday at Lawrence Moon Funeral Home.
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