11-year-old may face charges in shooting of 3-year-old friend

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

TAYLORSVILLE – An 11-year-old boy who shot a friend in Taylorsville last week may face assault charges, pending an investigation by the Department of Juvenile Justice, authorities said.

Alexander County Sheriff Hayden Bentley said Monday that his office recommended that the Department of Juvenile Justice and the District Attorney's Office consider charging the boy, who authorities say shot 3-year-old Jesse Miller on Jan. 15.

"We're not saying it wasn't accidental," Bentley said, "but there's a lot of factors we think the court needs to look at."

The 11-year-old, whom authorities have not named, could be charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, Bentley said.

Miller was shot in the chin while playing in his backyard with the children of his mother's boyfriend, authorities said. Miller was treated at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte and released last week.

The 11-year-old's father, 43-year-old Bill Blankenship, was charged with failing to secure a firearm and several drug charges after deputies searched the home.


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