Minor receives maximum sentence after manslaughter plea

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- A 17-year-old in Gulfport recently pled guilty to manslaughter for the shooting death of a 19-year-old woman.

The case began in August 2023 when Gulfport Police Department was called to the Wellington Place Apartments regarding a shooting.

Upon arrival, police located a 19-year-old victim on a couch, deceased from a single gunshot wound to her face.

Police determined that eight minors and one adult were in the two-story apartment at the time of the shooting with four of the minors present in the living room area.

These minors were interviewed and told investigators that the 17-year-old was playing with a loaded handgun prior to it firing and hitting the victim.

Police located a Glock 19 handgun next to the victim.

“Forensic scientists with the Mississippi Crime Lab were able to determine the projectile recovered during the autopsy matched the handgun found on scene,” said Matthew D. Burrell, who prosecuted the case for the State of Mississippi.

During his plea, the suspect admitted to the court he was playing with the handgun before it fired, striking the victim in the face.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, he told Judge Dodson that he was waving the gun around prior to the shooting and the other minors were telling him to stop.

He further explained to the judge when the gun was given to him, he took out the magazine, pointed the gun in the direction of the victim and pulled the trigger, not knowing a bullet was in the chamber.

The 17-year-old has been sentenced to the maximum 20 years to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.