17-year-old charged with manslaughter in fatal shooting of 13-year-old boy on JBLM property

TACOMA -- A 17-year-old has been formally charged with second-degree manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm in the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy in a wooded area of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in October.

Police have said they believe the shooting was accidental.

The 17-year-old, Adonis Brown, was formally charged in Pierce County Superior Court on Monday. He is currently scheduled for a jury trial on Jan. 27.

The 13-year-old was shot in the face on Oct. 20 after he, his 14-year-old brother and the 17-year-old had sneaked through a fence into a wooded area of JBLM with a gun. The 17-year-old was handling the gun when it discharged, police said.