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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Mom Jailed After Son Shoots 8-Year-Old Pal

Compiled From Wire Services

Two second-graders who were inseparable friends found a gun in a dresser drawer while they were home alone, and one boy killed the other with a shot to the head, police said Tuesday.

Althena O’Conner, mother of the 7-year-old who police said pulled the trigger, was jailed on charges of leaving a loaded gun within reach of a minor and could get up to five years in prison.

Detectives wouldn’t say whether the shooting was an accident.

The 7-year-old was placed in the custody of a relative.

Eight-year-old Rondell Izzelgean Diaz was shot Monday inside O’Conner’s apartment.