A 10-year-old boy has been arrested after allegedly shooting his 9-year-old friend during an incident authorities now believe was intentional.
According to PEOPLE, the shooting unfolded on December 6 while the two children were spending time together. The victim, identified by family members as Tre'Michael, was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Tre’Michael’s mother, Lakisha Ledguies, said her son later told her from his hospital bed that the shooting was deliberate.
“When the tube first came out of his mouth and he was able to talk, the first words were, ‘Mama, Mama, he shot me on purpose,’” Ledguies recalled.
Police in Alexandria, Louisiana initially believed the shooting was accidental but later determined it was intentional following further investigation.
The 10-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released due to his age, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated second-degree battery and juvenile in possession of a handgun. Police haven't disclosed how the child obtained the weapon or whether additional charges could be filed.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Tre'Michael's recovery. According to the fundraiser, the child “lost his right kidney, half of his left lung, and his intestines were shattered by the bullet.”
“Our family is still in shock, and every day brings new challenges as he fights to recover from this traumatic event,” the GoFundMe reads.
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