Aug 21, 2008 9:44 am US/Central
Cops: Gary Teen Shot Himself Over Shoes
GARY, Ind. (Post-Tribune) ―
A 14-year-old Tolleston boy died Wednesday from a gunshot wound to his head despite efforts by his cousin to intervene in the shooting.
Vernon Elkins, of the 1700 block of Arthur Street, was pronounced dead at The Methodist Hospitals in Gary about two hours after he shot himself with a .38-caliber revolver found in the alley near his home, police said.
The teen had been shopping with his family, but was unable to get the shoes he wanted for school because the store didn't have them in his size, Detective Cpl. Arturo Azcona said.
When he returned home, he went downstairs to his cousin's bedroom in the basement and put the gun to his head, Azcona said.
About 2:30 p.m., Vernon's 17-year-old cousin entered his bedroom and saw his younger cousin with the weapon.
Azcona said the older teen tried to grab the gun away, but the weapon discharged.
Police and medics arrived within minutes and Vernon was rushed to the hospital, where he died.
He is the second teen to die this week from a gunshot wound. Tyaty'Anna Crayton, also 14, died Friday night at her home in Aetna. She and her brother were playing with her parents' gun when it discharged.
The Lake County prosecutor's office is reviewing the evidence.
Azcona said he will present his case to prosecutors for review also.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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