By Carol Stiffler
A 10-year-old girl is dead after a shooting in Lakefield Township on Tuesday, February 23. Michigan State Police troopers responded to a 911 call from a home in Lakefield around 8 p.m. that evening. Investigation by the officers revealed the girl’s 14-year-old brother shot her in their home. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The teen was arraigned in 92nd District Court on February 25, in preparation to be bound over to circuit court on one felony charge of open murder. Open murder can be tried as either first or second degree murder, at the discretion of the prosecutor, though the designation is not required.
His case was assigned to court-appointed attorney Fred Feleppa of St. Ignace. Luce County Prosecutor Josh Freed said the teen will be tried as an adult.
The teen is being held in the Sault Tribe Juvenile Detention center, which is the closest juvenile detention center to Luce County. Jails do not accommodate youths under the age of 17.
Bond has not been set.
A preliminary exam for the boy has been scheduled for March 10.
Due to their ages, the names of the victim and the shooter will not be released.
Friends and family members of the girl say she was sweet and full of joy, and have surrounded the family in support.
