A TEENAGER is behind bars for shooting and killing a boy in the back after the pair argued over a joke that went horribly wrong.
Nolan Grove, 13, was charged with third-degree murder in the April 1 shooting of 12-year-old Kain Heiland.
The tragedy occurred near Grove’s home in the small town of Red Lion in York County, Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Baltimore, Maryland, according to the local NBC affiliate. WGAL.
Grove allegedly pointed his gun at Kain and pulled the trigger when Kain told him to shut up after Grove made a joke about Kain’s mother, according to a witness statement.
Grove was charged as an adult but will be placed in juvenile detention pending legal processing, county officials said.
He faces up to 40 years in prison on the murder charge alone.
“Decisions to charge anyone, let alone a 13-year-old, with third-degree murder are made with the utmost seriousness and care,” York County District Attorney Dave Sunday said during a news conference Friday. fair.
Grove surrendered to authorities Friday morning, about a month after Heiland’s death.
ASSEMBLY EVIDENCE
Investigators said they have surveillance camera footage of the boys from the day of the shooting, along with several witness accounts.
Video reviewed by police showed Grove pointing a gun with a red laser light directly at Heiland, before Heiland told him, “Take your finger off the trigger,” according to charging documents.
Heiland can be seen taking cover on the ground as the gun is pointed at him.
“I’m sorry, K,” a witness said Grove said after the shooting.
I would ask him why he killed my son because I just don’t understand why he did it.
Devin Rexroth
Police said they also spoke with witnesses who said Grove had threatened others in the past.
Charging documents revealed that Grove once told two girls, who he thought had his friend’s bike, that he would not hesitate to shoot them.
Another witness confirmed that the exchange with the girls had taken place and said that Grove pointed the gun at their backs as they walked away.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Heiland’s mother, Devin Rexroth, told local reporters she doesn’t think the charges are enough.
“I think it should have been first or second degree murder because I feel like it was premeditated. I feel like he planned to kill my son,” she said.
In addition to third-degree murder, Grove faces several other charges, including:
- Firearms must not be transported without a license
- Involuntary homicide
- Possession of a firearm by a minor
- Recklessly putting another person in danger
The grieving mother said she doesn’t understand why anyone would want to harm her son.
“I would ask him why he killed my son, because I just don’t understand why he did it,” Rexroth said.
Grove’s first preliminary hearing is scheduled for June.
The York County Prosecutor’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The US Sun.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story