Jacksonville, FL — An 11-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter following the shooting death of a 14-year-old in Columbia County.
Jadon Vaughn was shot dead on Wednesday night. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says an 11-year-old was taken into custody at a home in Gilchrist County and is currently in juvenile detention in Gainesville. WOKV is not publicly naming the suspect due to his age and since he is not charged as an adult.
Detectives say Jadon was visiting the home of the suspect and his brother and the parents had gone out for the evening.
Jadon and the suspect were play wrestling in an attempt to see if the family dog would respond to Jadon attacking the 11-year-old. The boy got a gun from his parent’s room, removed the magazine and pointed it at Jadon. The gun discharged, killing him.
According to investigators, the 11-year-old initially told his dad that Jadon came at him with a knife, then later admitted that he put a knife near the teen’s body after the shooting because the thought he’d be in less trouble.
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter says in honor of Jadon, he wants to stress the importance of securing firearms so children cannot get to them.
The Sheriff’s Office say its investigation continues. The gun was in a nightstand and not secured, according to Columbia County Sgt. Murray Smith. He says all of the parents have been cooperative with the investigation so far.
