The 15-year-old boy accused of killing Andy Zeng, a high school sophomore, told authorities that the shooting happened accidentally as the teens played with a gun, according to media reports.
The boy was arrested shortly after police discovered Zeng's body inside a home on the 2100 block of Quesada Avenue in the Silver Terrace neighborhood. At about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, police were called to the duplex on reports of a possible suicide. When they arrived, they found Zeng dead of a gunshot wound. His body was doused in gasoline, and a bag was over his head.
Police arrested the 15-year-old, who has been charged with attempted murder and arson. Three other teens were arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and conspiracy. Their identities are being withheld because they are minors, but police did name the 18-year-old as Jimmy Lei.
Neighbors living above had called police after smelling gasoline. Police say they believe the teens soaked Zeng's body and had planned to set fire to it, hoping to destroy the evidence. Zeng did not live at the residence.
While prosecutors work on the case, students at Thurgood Marshall Academic High School where Zeng was a sophomore say they are shocked by the shooting. A flag flew at half-staff in his memory.
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