CLEARWATER – Two teens were arrested on Sept. 5 in connection to an Aug. 2 shooting, according to a Clearwater Police Facebook report.
Taylor Compton, 13, is charged with aggravated child abuse, armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm and dealing in stolen property, the report said. Justin Hemphill, 15, is charged with armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm and dealing in stolen property, the report said.
Detectives identified Compton as the shooter in the Aug. 2 incident. She is charged with aggravated child abuse for discharging a firearm and seriously injuring a 15-year-old male. Compton and other juveniles had been playing with the gun at the residence prior to the shooting. Compton shot the victim, during which appears to be horseplay, the report said. She told detectives she intended to scare him and did not know the gun was loaded.
Compton and Hemphill are also charged with armed burglary of a vehicle, grand theft of a firearm and dealing in stolen property because they allegedly committed a vehicle burglary in which they stole the firearm and tried to sell it prior to the shooting. All of their charges are felonies.
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