Boy, 13, charged as adult in crossbow killing of 10-year-old

Prosecutors in Oklahoma have charged a 13-year-old boy with first-degree murder in the crossbow killing of a 10-year-old friend.

The death happened last fall in the small town of Chandler, about 65 kilometres northeast of Oklahoma City.

Authorities say 10-year-old Austin Almanza was fatally struck by an arrow, which travelled through his body and then pierced his 8-year-old brother in the arm.

Prosecutors charged the 13-year-old boy as an adult, making him one of the youngest ever in Oklahoma to be charged as an adult with first-degree murder.

At a hearing yesterday, a judge ordered a psychological evaluation of the boy to determine how his case should be handled in the future.
 

The boy's attorney and mother declined comment when contacted by The Oklahoman.