A 17-year-old accused of fatally shooting another teenager has been charged with murder.
Brandon Parker admitted to police that he killed his 16-year-old “best friend,” adding he had “shot him point blank,” according to court documents filed Friday in 2nd District Court.
The shooting occurred around 5:20 a.m. on March 14. The 16-year-old, whose name hasn’t been released, died at the home near 300 9th Street in Ogden.
Utah law states that anyone 16 or older must be tried as an adult if they are charged with aggravated murder or murder. The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not identify juvenile suspects unless they are charged as an adult.
Court documents state that the shooting happened at Brandon’s house and others were there — but asleep — when the 16-year-old was killed. After the shooting, Brandon’s mother said he came to her room and confessed to the shooting.
Brandon told police, according to charging documents, that he’d used cocaine and a concentrated form of cannabis, called a dab, prior to the shooting.
The documents don’t indicate any possible motive.
Brandon has been charged with murder, a first-degree felony, and possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony. His initial appearance is scheduled for March 24.
