Minnesota Boy, 14, Arrested After Shooting His ‘Bright, Happy’ 12-Year-Old Brother at Birthday Party, Police Say

A 12-year-old boy was fatally shot during a birthday celebration weekend in Minnesota and his 14-year-old brother has allegedly been arrested in connection with his accidental death, according to authorities.

Around 5 a.m. on Aug. 5, police were called to a home in St. Paul after receiving a report that a juvenile male had been shot, the Star Tribune reported.

Responding officers found a 12-year-old suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, officials said.

The boy, identified as Markee Jones, was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

St. Paul police spokeswoman Molly McMillen told the Star Tribune that a 14-year-old was being held at the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center in connection with Jones’ death.

McMillen said, “We still don’t know the how or what that led up to this.”

Chyarm Hill, a niece of Markee’s mother, said, “It was an accident, we just don’t know how it happened,” the Star Tribune reported.

Martez Hill, Markee’s uncle, told KSTP-TV, “My nephews and his brothers and his cousins were playing with a gun.”

Saturday was Martez’s son’s birthday and there were 14 kids inside the house, according to KSTP-TV.

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Family members told the station that someone they know allegedly placed a gun inside their home, without their knowledge.

Martez said two of the boys started playing with the firearm, and it went off, striking Markee.

Family noted Markee's mother is now having to deal with the loss of one child, while the legal fate of her other son is up in the air.

Lakrisha Hill, Markee’s aunt, told MPR News, “Markee was just a very bright, happy kid, I mean just always just full of energy.”

Police said they are interviewing possible witnesses and expect to release more details on the shooting soon, as the investigation continues.