Nicholas Chavez, a juvenile, has been charged with possession of a deadly weapon on school property and negligent use of a deadly weapon, in connection with the June 16 shooting of two brothers at Carrizozo High School, Assistant District Attorney Joanna Zimmerman told the Ruidoso News.
Chavez reportedly discharged a rifle from inside a truck at the high school track around 8 p.m. June 16, and the bullet went through the door of the truck and struck the brothers, ages 17 and 12, who were near the running track, the News said.
Shrapnel or bullet fragments reportedly struck the 17-year-old in the leg, and the 12-year-old remained hospitalized late last week after a bullet struck him in the left side, missing all vital organs and lodging just above his stomach, Zimmerman told the paper.
“There is no reason to doubt that the shooting was accidental,” said Zimmerman, who told the News on Monday that charges had been filed against Chavez with the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office.
Chavez reportedly told Lincoln County Deputy Rex Beard that he did know the .243-caliber Winchester rifle was loaded until it discharged as he moved it from the truck’s back seat to the front, but he knew he was not supposed to have the weapon on school property, the News said.