Boy shot in head dies from injuries

The Hamilton teen shot in the head earlier this week has died from his injuries.

Gabriel E. Mejia, 14, of Pleasant Avenue, had just graduated from the eighth grade at Garfield Middle School. Police were called to 767 Fairview Ave. around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to find Mejia outside with a gunshot wound to the head.

The male was flown to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center but later died from his injuries, Hamilton police said Friday afternoon.

A 16-year-old male who shot Mejia is in the county juvenile detention center on charges related to the shooting. The 16-year-old was arraigned Thursday in juvenile court on a felony charge of tampering with evidence and misdemeanor charges of assault and discharging a gun in the city limits.

Detectives continue to investigation events that resulted in the shooting and will be reviewing those and any additional facts to determine if any added charges are warranted, according to a news release from Hamilton police.

The 16-year-old boy was ordered to remain in the juvenile detention center by Magistrate John Bruewer until a June 11 pre-trial hearing before county juvenile Judge Kathleen Romans.

An investigation revealed the teenagers were playing with a gun at the Fairview Avenue house, according to police. The gun was accidentally discharged, striking the victim in the head, police said.

The 16-year-old left the residence before police and emergency units arrived, but was taken into custody a short time later. The gun was also recovered.

Staff writer Lauren Pack contributed to this report.

About the Author