SAN ANTONIO – Police arrested an 18-year-old man Wednesday night in connection with the shooting death of a younger teen who neighbors said is his brother.
Police have not confirmed the relationship between the two.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Jose Felinzo Carrion admitted to police that the blood on his body belonged to Ethan Elijah Carrion, but said the shooting was a tragic accident.
Jose Carrion said the victim had been playing with a 20-gauge shotgun at an apartment complex in the 1700 South Hamilton Street on Aug. 26, when it discharged after he dropped it, the affidavit said. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his chest.
Investigators didn't find the shotgun, the affidavit said.
Isabel Prieto, who said she saw the victim's body taken out of the apartment, said the suspect's story didn't add up.
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"(If) it would have been an accident, or something, they would have found it right there and then, and said, 'Well, here's the gun, or here's the weapon they used,' or something, you know," she said. "But I don't think they couldn't find it or anything, you know. I said, 'Oh no, something's going on there.'"
Police said Carrion's story of what happened to the shotgun kept changing, with explanations ranging from giving it to a stranger to throwing it in a dumpster. Police said he eventually told his girlfriend while both were in an interview room that he hid it in the back of a pickup truck, the affidavit said.
Detectives also noted the shotgun wadding was in the stairwell, while the victim's body was in the living room, according to the affidavit.
The younger teen's body also didn't have the bruising that results from a shot at close range, the affidavit.
Police said they found a large amount of gunshot residue on the suspect's hands.
The affidavit said the suspect told his girlfriend he was going to prison for the shooting.
Jose Carrion is being held in the Bexar County Jail on $100,000 bond.
