No charges after boy shot dead

A man who shot and killed a 13-year-old boy as he was stealing from an unlocked car was arrested but US prosecutors declined to press charges, police said on Monday.

Martinez Smith-Payne, who is black, was found unconscious and bleeding in a back alley when police were called about a shooting in St Louis, Missouri at 12.47am on Sunday. He died in hospital.

“Investigation revealed the victim, along with two other juveniles, was attempting to steal items from an unlocked parked vehicle when the suspect confronted them, then fired shots at the juveniles,” St Louis police said in a statement.

The shooter, who was identified as a 60-year-old black man, was immediately taken into custody. He was released after prosecutors “refused” a police request to press charges, the statement said. Prosecutors called the boy’s death a “a terrible tragedy” but said “Missouri law regarding a homeowner’s right to protect himself and his property is complicated.”