Maryland Teenager Allegedly Shot 8-Year-Old Brother To Death With Gun He Got In Exchange For Puppy, Police Say

An 18-year-old faces first- and second-degree murder charges after he fatally shot his younger brother while babysitting him at their Baltimore home last month, authorities said.

On Dec. 30, Devin Wilson was watching his four younger siblings when he phoned his mother and allegedly admitted he had shot 8-year-old Dylan King, WBAL-TV reported, citing charging documents.

When police responded to the family’s residence, officers found King suffering gunshot wounds to his back, head and shoulders. An autopsy later determined he died from a single shot from a shotgun.

A sobbing Wilson was located in a bedroom of the house wearing bloodstained clothing and pointing a shotgun to his head, but officers were able to talk him into surrendering, police said in the charging document.

According to the charging document, the teenager’s stepfather later told detectives Wilson said his young brother accidentally shot himself, but police said an investigation into the shot pattern disproved the claim.

Wilson legally obtained the weapon, which he got after trading a puppy for it, the charging document states.

“It's sad for the family, I feel for the family,” neighbor Leo Eades told WBFF, calling the shooting “a sad tragedy.”