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A 14-year-old Texan boy intentionally shot and killed his younger 8-year-old brother, according to police.
The teenager has been arrested and charged with murder following an investigation by deputies. The case is still active and the 14-year-old's guardians could also face charges.
Police made the arrest after the initial story that the 8-year old suffered a gunshot wound from a stray bullet fell apart. The teenager's identity has not been revealed.
The shooting occurred on January 29 at approximately 6:20 p.m. at a home on County Road 2911, Henderson County. There were three children alone in the residence when the shooting occurred.
Police received a 911 call about the shooting and arrived to find people attempting to save the child's life.
The 8-year-old boy, who was identified as Zayden Worley, died later that Saturday at a children's hospital in Dallas. An autopsy was conducted at the Southwestern Institute on Forensic Science.
Judicial District Judge Scott McKee issued a search warrant for the property where the child was shot to aid in the investigation.
Initially it was reported that the 8-year-old boy was struck by a stray bullet fired from a wooded area. A press release from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office stated evidence that was found at the crime scene showed that it was not possible the victim was killed this way.
"It was reported that the child was on the back porch when a stray bullet from a wooded area struck the child," the press release stated.
"Investigators immediately began searching the area and speaking with neighbors.
"Investigators have continuously worked this case and the physical evidence recovered from the scene and autopsy show the initial report of how this happened is not possible."
On Wednesday the Henderson County Sheriff, Botie Hillhouse, said in a statement that "there was no possible way a stray bullet could have caused this."
He also answered questions regarding the bullet that struck Worley and said it was a small caliber round.
He added that he thinks the 14-year-old boy intentionally shot his brother. The Henderson County Sheriff's Office has not clarified whether they will be treating the boy as an adult or juvenile.
The Henderson County Sheriff's Office is being assisted on the case by the Henderson County Attorney's Office, the Henderson County District Attorney's Office, the Texas Rangers, Texas State Game Wardens, the Children's Advocacy Center, and Child Protective Services.
Newsweek has contacted the Henderson County Sheriff Office for comment.
About the writer
Gerrard Kaonga is a Newsweek U.S. News Reporter and is based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on U.S. ... Read more