16-year-old Detroiter shot in head during gun play

19-year-old friend is in police custody, expected to be charged

DETROIT – A 16-year-old Detroit boy was shot in the head Thursday afternoon while he and friends were playing with a gun in the basement of a Virginia Park home.

The boy was in critical condition at a hospital but died when he was taken off of life support on Friday. Detroit police say his 19-year-old friend is in custody and is expected to be charged in connection with the death.

According to a police source, the victim's friend was playing with the gun when it accidentally went off and struck the teen.

Police searched the house and interviewed the victim's friends. It hasn't been determined if the gun belonged to the homeowner or if someone brought it to the home Thursday afternoon.