Teen who mistakenly killed friend in Tacoma gets prison time

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — An 18-year-old man who mistakenly shot and killed his friend after Pierce County prosecutors say he tried to fire at another target has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison.

The News Tribune reports that Treveon Reed was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to murder in the death of 17-year-old Jatarius Tolbert.

Prosecutors had asked for a 23-year prison sentence, but the victim's family told the judge they wanted a lesser sentence.

Court records show Tolbert was shot in a Tacoma parking lot May 11 while hanging out with other young men. Someone in Tolbert's group fired a gun at a car as it passed, and his acquaintances told police someone inside the car returned fire.

Reed said in court that Tolbert was "like a brother" to him.