New Mexico: 14-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot Teenage Girl Using Father's Gun

A tragic incident in northern New Mexico led to the arrest of a father and his 14-year-old son after the teen allegedly shot and killed a 13-year-old girl, per CBS News.

The identities of the teens involved have not been publicly disclosed.

According to officials, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon when the teens and two other juveniles were at the 14-year-old boy's home in Questa, listening to music.

At some point during their time together, the 14-year-old boy reportedly retrieved a pistol and shot the teenage girl. Subsequently, he allegedly dragged her body outside.

The New Mexico father, William Brown, returned home shortly after the shooting. When the police arrived, Brown and his son refused to leave the house for approximately 30 minutes.

The New Mexico teen was arrested on multiple charges, including an open count of first-degree murder. Additionally, he was charged with two counts of tampering with evidence and two counts of assault on a police officer.

The reasons for the New Mexico teen's charges of assaulting police have not been specified by officials.

New Mexico Father Arrested

The New Mexico father, William Brown, was also charged with negligent making a firearm accessible to a minor resulting in death, New York Post reports.

This charge is related to his alleged ownership of guns inside the home, which may have played a role in the tragic incident.

Both William Brown and his New Mexico teen son were booked at separate detention centers, with the teenager sent to a juvenile facility.

The community of Questa is deeply affected by the tragedy, and the village mayor, John Anthony Ortega, expressed his sadness in a Facebook post.

He extended his thoughts and prayers to the families, community members, and first responders impacted by this heartbreaking event.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities are expected to gather further information before turning it over to the district attorney's office for review and potential legal proceedings.

Rep. Pamelya Herndon's 'Bennie's Law' Is Used to Charge New Mexico Father

The shooting death of a 13-year-old girl in Questa has prompted significant legislative action, with state lawmakers passing Bennie's Law, according to KOB 4.

This law aims to increase penalties for gun owners when a minor gains access to their firearm and uses it to shoot someone.

Notably, this is the first instance where Bennie's Law is being used to press charges.

State Representative Pamelya Herndon expressed her initial disappointment and sadness upon learning about the tragedy in Questa.

She introduced Bennie's Bill more than two years ago, and it officially became effective in June.

The law was named after Bennie Hargrove, who died in a shooting at Washington Middle School when a teenager brought his father's gun from home.

The main goal of Bennie's Law is to serve as a deterrent and remind gun owners of their responsibility to safely store firearms, especially when they are not in their immediate possession.

The New Mexico law includes provisions for misdemeanor charges if a firearm is not stored properly, and it can result in a fourth-degree felony charge if someone is injured or killed by a child who gains access to an adult's gun.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Bennie's Bill: New Mexico gun safety law, takes effect - From KOB 4