NORRISTOWN, Pa. — A 13-year-old boy has been charged with third-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old inside a Norristown home last month.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced Thursday that Daniel Hawkins-Boyce, 13, is charged in the September 22 death of William Boyd, 16.
Authorities said Norristown police responded around 10:28 a.m. to a home in the 800 block of Arch Street following a report of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found Boyd deceased on the first floor of the residence.
An autopsy determined Boyd died from a single gunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled a homicide.
Investigators allege Hawkins-Boyce had found a handgun beside a trash can and began playing with the weapon, believing it did not contain ammunition.
Authorities said the 13-year-old then fired the handgun, striking Boyd in the face.
Montgomery County Detectives processed the scene and recovered a Ruger .380 handgun. Investigators determined the weapon had been reported stolen out of Philadelphia on June 3.
“In these types of cases, we have to look at the totality of the circumstances, and in this case, the evidence clearly showed that the defendant recklessly fired the firearm at the victim, fatally striking him,” Steele said.
Hawkins-Boyce has been charged with third-degree murder and related offenses.
Steele said Pennsylvania law requires the case to initially be filed in adult court despite the defendant’s age, although the court is expected to consider whether the case should remain in adult court or be transferred to the juvenile system.
Hawkins-Boyce was arraigned September 30. Bail was set at 10% of $200,000.
Authorities said he is being held at the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 14 at 11:45 a.m.
The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
