Teenager held in crossbow death

CHANDLER — The decision over what to do with a 13-yearold boy who reportedly killed a 10-year-old boy and wounded his younger brother with a crossbow is now in the hands of the Lincoln County district attorney.

The investigation was turned over to the district attorney's office Monday and charges are expected to be filed later this week, Lincoln County Sheriff Charlie Dougherty said.

At 6 p.m. Saturday, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a crossbow shooting in rural Lincoln County.

Austin Almanza, 10, was pronounced dead at the scene. His younger brother, Ayden Almanza, 8, was wounded, Dougherty said.

A 13-year-old boy — whose name was not released — was arrested. He is not related to either of the victims.

Both boys were shot with a single arrow. The arrow first traveled through Austin’s body then struck Ayden in the arm, the sheriff said.

During a news conference Monday morning, Dougherty said there was “a disagreement” among the three boys in the minutes before the shooting.

The crossbow shooting is being treated as a homicide, Dougherty said.

“Ten-year-old Austin’s

not dead because of an accident,” Dougherty said. “He’s dead because of an action that took place.”

Both victims attend White Rock Elementary School in southwestern Lincoln County. Principal Alicia Ebers said school officials had talked with students about the incident and provided grief counselors.

White Rock Superintendent Bob Gragg called the Almanza brothers “very well-mannered, very polite young men.” Gragg said the school has not scheduled any special service for Austin, saying school officials wanted to give family members a chance to come to grips with the situation.

“We’re certainly heartbroken and saddened on behalf of the school community and certainly the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Gragg said.

“We’re just a small school, a small community, and it hits hard just like it would in any family.”