$1,000 bail for brother in shooting

MARYSVILLE — A Marysville teen remained hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the neck Friday while his older brother is being investigated for pulling the trigger.

The injured boy, 16, was in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg-Hanson said.

His brother, 17, appeared Thursday morning in juvenile court where a judge ordered him held on $1,000 bail.

The boy is under investigation for third-degree assault and illegal possession of a firearm, prosecutors said.

Initially he was booked into Denney Juvenile Justice Center for investigation of first-degree assault.

“That would indicate there was an intent. At this point, it doesn’t appear that was the case,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow said.

Darrow said he expects make a decision about filing charges against the boy in the coming days.

Police believe the boy was handling a semiautomatic pistol Wednesday evening when the gun discharged.

The single round struck the boy’s younger brother in the neck, Marysville police Cmdr. Robb Lamoureux said.

Both boys were in the same room in the family home, located in the 6900 block of 38th Place NE. Their parents were in another part of the house, police said.

“I think it’s safe to say this could have been much, much worse, even fatal, and we’re talking by inches,” Lamoureux said.

The injured boy was rushed to the hospital. His brother was arrested.

“While it doesn’t appear to be an intentional shooting, his actions directly resulted in his brother’s injuries,” Lamoureux said.

Police continued to investigate where the older boy got the gun. It doesn’t belong to his parents, and it’s not clear who owns the gun, Lamoureux said.

Marysville police have had contact with the boys several times since 2005, including investigating their connection to assault, obstructing a police officer and theft, Lamoureux said.

Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.