RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities have identified a teenage boy who was fatally shot in Hopkins on Sunday morning.
15-year-old Jayen Gladden of Hopkins was found with a gunshot wound to the upper body in a home on the 100 block of Hunting Avenue on Sunday. The shooting occurred around 10 a.m. Gladden was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
Authorities have arrested a 14-year-old in connection to the death.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department said deputies were called to the 100 block of Hunting Avenue outside Hopkins around 10 a.m. Sunday to a report of gunfire. They found a juvenile victim in a chair inside the house when they arrived. Further investigation determined that he had a gunshot wound to the upper body.
Investigators allege that the victim had been visiting the suspect at the time of the shooting. The suspect is accused of handling a handgun near the victim. Investigators believe that while the suspect was attempting to clear the weapon, it fired a single bullet, striking the victim.
Further investigation found the 14-year-old to be at fault, which led to an involuntary manslaughter charge and one count of illegal possession of a weapon by a minor.