UPDATE: 11-year-old taken into custody for manslaughter in Lake City 14-year-old
Deputies are investigating the shooting death of a 14-year-old, Jadon Vaughn, in Columbia County.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office said the teen was shot at a friend's home the day after Christmas. While deputies figure out whether this was an accident or not, the parents could face charges for failure to secure a gun from minors.
It would be a tragedy any time of year, but the teenager’s death comes one day after Christmas.
“Really terrible, I’m trying what I can do to not cry,” said Albert Harrington, the victim’s grandfather. Harrington held back tears as he talked about his 14-year-old grandson.
Tragedy has stuck our community once again. Last night a young boy lost his life and we search for answers. Please be...
Posted by Columbia County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, December 27, 2018
Deputies say around 7 p.m. Wednesday night they responded to the Lake City home in regard to the 14-year-old who had been shot and killed.
Deputies said Vaughn was there visiting his friends, 11-year-old and 9-year-old brothers. Deputies said one of the boys was able to get their hands on a gun inside the home. They said at no adults where at the home at the time of the shooting.
Outside the Lake City home where deputies say a 14yo boy was shot and killed, there’s a BB gun box.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) December 27, 2018
Deputies say the teen was at the home hanging out with two other boys. pic.twitter.com/9ZaLttsP5A
While investigators work to find out what happened inside the home, and if it was an accident, neighbors are trying to comprehend everything.
Neighbor Jones Cox said the family moved in weeks ago.
"That is the hardest thing to understand, and I feel sorry for the parents that has to go through this, the grandparents, or if he has any brothers or sisters, I’m praying for them, what can we do … it hurts," said Cox.
Another neighbor Nancy Coker told Action News Jax, "I heard a lady screaming, I could tell something bad had happened."
STORY: Columbia County deputies searching for dangerous double shooting suspect
“Words can’t describe what we are going through,” — family of the 14yo boy who was shot and killed while hanging out at a friend’s house the day after Christmas is remembering what a happy kid he was. pic.twitter.com/y2En2lhg2d
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) December 27, 2018
"I didn't sleep at all last night thinking about it," said Coker.
On social media, a family member of the victim wrote, "I remember him just telling me yesterday he had got everything he wanted for Christmas and he was so happy."
“He might be gone a little too early, we’ll never forget him and we will always love him,” said Harrington.
Vaughn's family put together a GoFundMe for the funeral costs.
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