MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A teenage boy accused of killing another teen appeared in court via Zoom on Thursday in Miami-Dade County.
Detectives and prosecutors accused the 15-year-old defendant of fatally shooting Mekhi Stevenson, 17, on Tuesday afternoon at Mekhi’s home near Sierra Park, at 19601 NE 1 Pl.
Mekhi was a former North Miami High School student who played for the school’s football team, according to Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Coach Gerald Cox said the 6-foot, 175-pound junior was a talented quarterback.
There were witnesses who fled the house after the shooting, police said.
According to the arrest report, Mekhi’s 15-year-old brother said he asked his friend to stop playing around with the loaded firearm and to put it away, but instead of doing that, the teen shot Mekhi in the chest once.
“I want the world to know that Mekhi was a really great kid,” Mekhi’s relative Anthon Samuel said earlier this week.
The juvenile court judge in the case determined the defendant will remain in jail for the next 21 days until the next hearing on Dec. 20. Prosecutors have yet to determine if he will be charged with manslaughter as an adult.
Local 10 News checked in with the group Everytown For Gun Safety, who told us nationwide, every year, 350 children under the age of 18 gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else.
Detectives were asking anyone with information about the case to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.