TUSKEGEE, Ala. (AP) - A charge against an Alabama teenager was upgraded to capital murder after a 4-year-old boy who was hit by a stray bullet over the weekend died Monday, police said.
Tuskegee police responding to reports of a shooting Saturday found the child suffering from a gunshot wound, the Opelika-Auburn News reported. The boy was taken to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for treatment, but he died from his injuries Monday morning, Tuskegee Police Chief Loyd Jenkins told the newspaper.
Joshua Washington, 18, had been arrested Sunday night and was charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied building or dwelling, the newspaper reported. After the boy died, Washington was charged with capital murder, the chief said.
Washington was being held in the Macon County jail. It wasn’t immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could comment on the charges.
Jenkins told Al.com that the gunfire broke out in the parking lot of an apartment complex and that the boy, Davion Tarver, was hit while in his bed inside an apartment.
“We don’t believe the apartment was targeted,” Jenkins said.
The chief said information from the public helped them track down Washington and he expects more arrests are likely.
“I was proud because they were giving information to us and we were able to track down leads and follow up on information which led us to make that first arrest,” Jenkins said. “I am glad to see citizens taking a stance and pass information on to law enforcement. It shows everyone that the citizens are not going to let these violent criminals get away with these crimes.”
The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to get in touch with them. Central Alabama Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information in the case, Al.com reported.
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