HOUSTON – A 16-year-old boy was killed Tuesday in what officials believe to be an accidental shooting near Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood, according to police.
The shooting was reported about noon in the 4700 block of Clover Street, near Cullen Boulevard.
Houston police say the teen was playing basketball with other teens and young adults in the street outside a friend’s house. When the group went indoors to rest for a minute, witnesses told police that the teen slapped his pocket with his hand and a pistol he had in his pocket went off and killed him.
“One of the children, a 16-year-old appeared to have a handgun. Somehow that juvenile was shot and he has passed away at Memorial Hermann hospital. At this time it appears to be an accident but the investigation is ongoing and I really do not know very much more than that at this time,” said Sgt. Mark Holbrook with Houston police.
It is unclear who owned the gun or why the teen was carrying it, officials said. Police don’t expect to file charges in this case.