Teen Accidentally Kills Brother: 16-year-old Mistakes 12-year-old for Burglar, Shoots and Kills Younger Bro in Tragic Case of Mistaken Identity

Reports confirm that a 16-year-old teen accidentally shot and killed his younger brother with a gun in a case of mistaken identity on Friday, March 22. According to Orlando, FL authorities, the teen thought his family's home was being broken into Friday afternoon when the tragic incident occured. The siblings' parents were not home at the time.

The shooting happened at a suburban home in a gated subdivision near Lake Nona. Orlando homicide detective Mike Moreschi released in a statement:

"A 16-year-old and 12-year-old were home and there was a firearm in the house, and the 16-year-old feared that the place was being broken into. He fired a shot and it killed his brother."

Orlando police have yet to release the names of the two boys involved in the deadly, accidental shooting. However, authorities claim that the teen will not be charged.

Apparently, the teenager heard noises in the home and called out for his brother. The younger boy didn't respond, and startled the 16-year-old when he did eventually approach. That's when the teen fired the gun. As soon as he realized what had happened, he promptly called 911. Paramedics arrived and rushed the 12-year-old to the hospital, but unfortunately, it was too late. The young boy had already died from his wounds.

Moreschi insists that the older brother has suffered due to his rash actions. "He is devastated, obviously. His parents are devastated," Moreschi stated. The detective did not release any information on how the teen got hold of the gun.

While the teen will not face charges for accidentally shooting and killing his brother, detectives plan on meeting with the State Attorneys Office to discuss the case and decide if there was negligence involved, since the parents were not home. Orlando Police Department spokesman Sergeant Jim Young added, "The family is fully cooperating with the investigation; however, they are requesting privacy."

Thoughts and condolences go out to those close to the victim and his family during this time of tragedy.