A teenager appeared in PC court Tuesday morning after he was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing his younger brother as a group of teens handled a firearm in a barn in Tomball.
Rhyder Tettleton, 17, has been charged with second degree manslaughter for his role in the death of his 16-year-old brother, whose name has not been released. Investigators also said the teens had been drinking.
OUR FIRST REPORT: Brother charged after 16-year-old shot, killed inside Tomball barn
At the hearing, details were provided for the charges against Tettleton. This evidence included that Tettleton’s brother was killed in the barn by a single gunshot wound to the left abdomen area.
A witness said they heard a gunshot, looked up, and saw Tettleton holding the handgun used in the shooting, standing next to his brother before he collapsed.
Another witness heard the brother say, “I think I’m gonna die. Help me! Help me!” after being shot.
Tettleton also allegedly told other people to take responsibility for the shooting or say another person had done it. When officers spoke to Tettleton, he denied any involvement and said he couldn’t remember any details on what happened.
Later, with an attorney present, Tettleton admitted to police that he picked up the gun in the barn and thought he was just “dry firing” it—or pulling the trigger without live ammunition in the chamber—and accidentally shot his brother, who was standing within six inches of him.
He also admitted to telling the other teens where to hide the guns after the shooting.
Tettleton was given a bond of $50,000.