HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A 17-year-old accused of fatally shooting his 16-year-old brother in what investigators believe was an accidental shooting appeared in court Tuesday morning.
Rhyder Tettleton, charged with manslaughter, had his bond set at $50,000. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity.
The incident occurred early Monday morning in the Stone Lake neighborhood in the Tomball area.
Authorities said the brothers, along with a group of teens aged 16 to 19, were drinking in a barn at a home on Stone Creek Court when they started playing with a gun prior to the shooting.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Tettleton initially instructed his friends to lie about what happened, claiming another person shot his brother. Investigators later revealed that Tettleton admitted to pointing a gun at his younger brother, pulling the trigger, and shooting him in the chest, thinking the weapon was unloaded.
Probable cause statements presented in court describe the victim's final moments, as he reportedly said, "I think I’m going to die, help me."
Deputies said Tettleton also asked his friends to hide the gun and its casings and to blame another friend present in the barn.
Despite their efforts to render first aid, the 16-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We don’t believe this was an altercation or intentional thing necessarily but clearly reckless in the way that they were doing this and that’s how the individual ended up getting shot,” HCSO Sgt. Jason Brown said.
Investigators said the parents of the brothers were not home at the time of the shooting. All five teens present were detained and questioned but later released.
We will continue to follow this story. Check back for updates.