An 18-year-old man from Milwaukee has been charged in the shooting death of 14-year-old Bryant Triplett.
The incident took place near the 3300 block of N. 21st in Milwaukee on December 28th.
Rashad Bates has been charged with one count of homicide by negligent use of a firearm.
According to the probable cause document, Milwaukee Police Officers were flagged down by a group of people in front of a home on 21st Street — They say Bates was attending to the gunshot wound of Triplett.
Police say they spoke to Bates, who told them he and Triplett had been walking dogs in the alley behind the home when an unknown person shot at them for unknown reasons. When questioned further, Bates later admitted that he himself had been carrying the gun, "manipulated it," and accidentally shot Triplett.
He told another officer he was carrying the gun under his armpit without a holster. Bates says he started to empty the gun and had his finger on the trigger as he pulled the slide back, causing it to fire. Bates admitted the bullet hit Triplett in the stomach.
The criminal complaint goes on to say that if Bates had not violated the "simple rules" of safe gun handling, Triplett would not have been shot.
The charge Bates faces carries a fine of up to $25,000 and/or 10 years in prison.
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