FLINT, MI (WNEM) -
WNEM TV5 has learned of new developments in the shooting death of a teenager on the first day of 2013.
The shooting happened just after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning inside a home on North Chevrolet Avenue. Now a 16-yera-old who claims to have pulled the trigger has come forward to turn himself in to police.
Pastor Robert McCathern at Joy Tabernacle on Flint's north side called a press conference because the teen had come forward to say that he accidentally shot his friend on New Year's Day. Originally, a man living inside the home, who ended up being the teen's father, said his son told him someone came into the home and shot his friend and then ran from the scene.
Flint Pastor Jeff Hawkins, who lost two sons of his own to gun violence, says this is a small victory for organizations that help children do what's right.
The teen has now admitted that he and his friend were playing with guns and he accidentally shot his friend. Pastor McCathern said that friend has been identified as 15-year-old Gianni Herron, a freshman at Flint Northern High School.
The teen, whose name is not being released yet because he has not been formally charged, spoke during the news conference to a room full of crying family members and expressed remorse for what he'd done, crying that he'd lost his best friend.
"I just want to say I'm sorry," said the teen between gasps while breaking down during the news conference. "I didn't try to, it was an accident."
The alleged shooter's attorney, Glenn Cotton, was present when the teen was handed over to police. Cotton said three guns were involved in the accidental shooting incident, but he would not say how the teens acquired the guns. Cotton did say that he is disturbed how easily accessible the guns were to the teens.
Flint police were present at the conference and immediately took him into custody following the news conference. After the teen was taken into custody, the pastor, along with several church and community members, visited Herron's mother's home to show support for his family.
It's not clear what punishments or charges the teen will face. His name is not being released until he's been formally charged.
Flint Police Chief Alvern Lock said "If that's what takes for this young man to turn himself in, I'm all for it," said Lock.
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The teen admitting in front of family to shooting his friend on New Year's Day.
Family members holding a photo of the teen who died New Year's Day.
Photo shows Gianni Herron on the right, wearing a red shirt.
The house where the shooting took place.
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