13-year-old shot at military base has died; friend charged

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – A 13-year-old boy who was shot in the face last week at a military base in Washington state has died.

Police told the News Tribune newspaper that the boy died Sunday night at a hospital, where he was taken after being shot Tuesday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

A 17-year-old boy pleaded not guilty Friday to shooting his friend. He’s being held in juvenile detention on charges of third-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. The charges hadn’t been changed as of Monday morning.

The victim’s 14-year-old brother told authorities that the three boys were walking in the woods when he heard a gunshot. Court records show he turned to see his brother lying on the ground and the 17-year-old holding a gun.

The older boy claims the shooting was an accident.