12-year-old boy accidentally shoots cousin with gun, charged with homicide: Reports

A 12-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter and homicide in relation to the fatal shooting of his teenage cousin in Brooklyn, according to multiple reports.

The shooting happened Sunday, said the New York Police Department’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Someone called the police around 10:24 a.m. about a person who had been shot. 

Police did not confirm that the victim and shooter are related but WNBC and WPIX reported that the pair are cousins.

WNBC also reported that the boys were playing with a gun when the teenager was shot.

12-year-old suspect also faces weapons charge

Police found a 14-year-old boy unconscious with a gunshot wound to the chest. EMS took the boy to Brookdale University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police later identified the victim as Josai Guy.

The 12-year-old, who police have not named, was charged the same day with manslaughter, recklessly causing death, criminal negligent homicide and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Neighbors told WNBC that Josai, the 14-year-old victim, was a good child who often played with friends at basketball courts in the area.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].