DES MOINES (AP) — A Des Moines teenager who pointed a stolen gun at his friend and then killed him has pleaded guilty in adult court to felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless use of a firearm.
Dontavius Sharkey entered the pleas earlier this week. Sharkey was 15 on Oct. 12 when he shot 16-year-old Corey Hamilton Jr. at a Des Moines apartment. Investigators say Sharkey apparently was unaware the gun was loaded.
The case facts led District Associate Judge Colin Witt to rule that Sharkey should be tried in adult court as a youthful offender. Sharkey turned 16 three days after the shooting. He won’t officially be sentenced for two years.