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MOUNDSVILLE – Authorities have charged a Cameron teen for his involvement in a December fatal shooting.
The Cameron Police Department and the prosecutor’s office filed the juvenile petition Tuesday afternoon, which alleges wanton endangerment involving a firearm and involuntary manslaughter against the 14-year-old for the shooting death of James Russell Keyser Parker, 19. The incident occurred Dec. 26 on 24 North Ave. in Cameron.
Officials said the shooter’s name will not be released, as he is a juvenile.
According to Cameron police Chief Mike Younger, the 14-year-old shooter believed the weapon was empty when the incident occurred. The teen pulled the trigger, shooting Parker in the forehead.
Following the incident, the shooter was transferred to Ohio Valley Medical Center for minor injuries and evaluation work.
Younger said the investigation is ongoing after charges were filed Tuesday. The department is finding information on the gun and ammunition involved.
“We’re tracing down some additional information that’s come about,” Younger said.
According to the petition, wanton endagerment involving a firearm is committed when one wantonly or recklessly performs any act with a firearm which creates substantial risk of death or serious injury to another, while involuntary manslaughter is committed when one is engaged in an unlawful act that unintentionally causes a death.
Marshall County Prosecutor Jeff Cramer said Judge Mark Karl will hear the case as part of his juvenile docket early next month.
Cramer said he has not seen an increase in gun safety issues for teens throughout Marshall County, but said the incident was unfortunate and highly avoidable with responsible gun practices.
“The investigation reached a point where we felt comfortable that these were the appropriate charges and the investigation is ongoing for other aspects of the case,” Cramer said. “In a sense, it was an intentional act with an unintentional consequence and a tragic situation that could have been avoided by a more secure firearm setup in the home.”
Cramer further encouraged the public to keep firearms secure and safe within the home.
“I can only urge all gun owners to keep their firearms in a location secure from access by minors, even if firearms are believed to be inoperable,” Cramer said.