FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale teen was charged today with manslaughter as an adult in connection with the fatal shooting of another teen last week.
Washington County prosecutors filed formal charges against JR RB Betwel, 17, in Circuit Court. Betwel is being held at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center.
In addition to manslaughter, Betwel is charged with two counts of theft by receiving. All three charges are felonies.
Manslaughter, if convicted, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The 15-year-old victim and other juveniles were sitting in a stolen car early Friday, according to police.
The car, stolen in Fayetteville, was parked on Singletree Avenue in Springdale with the victim sitting in the driver's seat, police said. Betwel was handling the gun, later determined to be stolen from Elkins.
Betwel accidentally fired the pistol, striking the 15-year-old in the chest, police said.
The boy died at Northwest Medical Center from a gunshot wound after a couple juveniles took him to the emergency room about 5:30 a.m. Friday, according to a news release from police. The juveniles remained there until officers arrived.
The teen's body was sent for autopsy at the Arkansas Crime Lab by the Washington County Coroner's Office.
Rules require prosecutors to file charges against juveniles in a shorter time frame than adults.
NW News on 03/27/2019