A 15-year-old boy was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside an apartment in the Bronx on Wednesday evening, authorities said. Riley Billingslea was discovered just before 5:30 p.m. on Claflin Avenue in the Kingsbridge Heights section after police were called to a residential building at West 197th Street and Claflin Avenue.
A 13-year-old friend of the victim was also injured in the incident. The younger boy sustained a graze wound to the torso and was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital in stable condition.
According to the 13-year-old's account to detectives, a 16-year-old shot Billingslea in the head during an argument inside the apartment. The alleged gunman removed a gun from his backpack and opened fire, the younger victim told police. Police sources indicated they believe the shooting resulted from an accidental discharge of the weapon. A witness also told officers the incident was accidental.
The bullet that killed Billingslea ricocheted and struck the 13-year-old, police sources said. Several other people were present inside the apartment at the time of the shooting.
The gun used in the shooting has not been recovered. No arrests have been made as detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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