Florida Teen, Mom Charged in Accidental Gun Death of Friend

A 14-year-old boy in Hollywood, Florida, has been charged with manslaughter after accidentally shooting his best friend in the head while playing with a loaded pistol.

Jeff Dilworth and 13-year-old Daniel Torres were at Dilworth’s home on April 28 when they accessed a 9 mm handgun from his mother’s nightstand. Dilworth claimed he thought the gun was unloaded after watching Torres remove the magazine—unaware a bullet remained in the chamber. He pulled the trigger, killing Torres instantly.

A panicked Dilworth called 911, sobbing: “I shot my best friend in the head. Am I going to go to jail? It was an accident. I’m sorry.”

Torres had been home that day to avoid bullying at school. His family disputes the accidental nature of the shooting, calling Dilworth and his mother, Shari Edwards, unsympathetic and negligent. Edwards, the gun’s owner, now faces a charge of culpable negligence for allowing easy access to the loaded weapon.

If convicted, Dilworth could face up to 30 years in prison. His mother faces up to five.

The tragedy reignites ongoing concerns about unsecured firearms in homes, especially around minors.