The 14-year-old Cooper City boy accused of shooting and killing his best friend while playing with his stepfather's gun will not be charged as an adult, prosecutors said.
Eric Palacios will face a juvenile charge of manslaughter with a firearm. The decision was made late Wednesday afternoon, Assistant State Attorney Maria Schneider said.
"Juvenile court is the proper venue for this very tragic event," she said. "The details in this particular case are very close to requiring more harsh treatment, but they don't quite cross the line."
Palacios has been in juvenile detention since the July 30 shooting.