A 13-year-old boy from Texas has been ordered to remain in juvenile detention after a judge ruled he violated the strict conditions of his release. The teen is accused of the accidental shooting that killed his eight-year-old brother earlier this year.
A Tragic Accident and a Serious Charge
According to the San Antonio Police Department, the incident occurred on July 24. The unnamed teenager was handling an unsecured firearm when it discharged, striking his younger brother, Daniel Casares. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Casares died from a gunshot wound to the head and neck.
The 13-year-old was subsequently charged with manslaughter. In August, he was released from custody into the care of his grandmother under a set of stringent court orders.
Second Chance Blown: Judge's Stern Rebuke
However, the teenager was back before Bexar County 436th Juvenile District Court Judge William 'Cruz' Shaw on Wednesday after reportedly breaking his release terms. Local station KSAT reported the infractions included breaking curfew and associating with individuals he was legally barred from contacting. He also faced an additional charge for evading authorities.
Judge Shaw delivered a stern reprimand, stating the boy had failed to grasp the gravity of his situation. "All you had to do was follow the rules. You broke two conditions on a very serious charge," Shaw said. "You are here on a serious offense, and I gave you that one shot to show everybody you could behave. And you blew it."
The judge also dismissed any attempts by the teen to act tough, telling him, "You're trying to harden up, and you are not a gangster. At all."
Family Anguish and Legal Proceedings
The boy's father expressed his frustration to the court, acknowledging his son's wrongdoing. "I can't excuse him for what he did wrong. He knows right from wrong," he said. "I would love to have him home, but a part of me wants him to learn."
This hearing also addressed a previous point of family contention. The father had earlier criticised the court for not allowing his son to attend Daniel Casares's funeral. Judge Shaw apologised directly to the teenager for this oversight, stating he "deserved to be there" and would have made special arrangements had he been informed.
During a July hearing, the teen had described the shooting as an accident, a claim the judge said he believed. However, Judge Shaw emphasised the core issue: "You shouldn't have had your hand on that gun in the first place. That gun should have been locked up. And this is what happens when they're not."
The teen's defence attorney, Neil Calfas, had previously described his client as a good student with no prior disciplinary record, framing the shooting as a "very, very serious" accident.
The court has now ordered the 13-year-old to remain in juvenile detention. His next court hearing is scheduled for December 18.
