Boy, 12, convicted for shooting relatives

MARIETTA, Ohio – A 12-year-old boy was convicted Saturday in the shotgun slayings of his aunt and grandmother and is expected to be imprisoned until age 21.

Bryan Christopher Sturm told investigators he shot his grandmother at her southeast Ohio home on Nov. 22 because she constantly criticized him, according to an affidavit filed by the Washington County sheriff’s office.

He said his aunt was accidentally shot in the head when she grabbed the gun.

In Ohio, a child must be at least 14 years old to be tried as an adult.

A hearing will be held later to determine whether Sturm will be designated a serious youthful offender, which would let authorities keep him in prison past his 21st birthday if he commits a violent offense while incarcerated or if it appears he has not been rehabilitated, said Rae Ward, the county’s juvenile court administrator.

A sentencing date has not been set.