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13-year-old boy charged with murder in crossbow killing of 10-year-old friend

Posted at 10:33 AM, Jan 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-19 11:33:20-05

CHANDLER, Okla. (AP) -- Prosecutors in Oklahoma have charged a 13-year-old boy with first-degree murder in the crossbow killing of a 10-year-old friend.

The death happened last fall in the small town of Chandler, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northeast of Oklahoma City. Authorities say 10-year-old Austin Almanza was fatally struck by an arrow, which traveled through his body and then pierced his 8-year-old brother in the arm.

Prosecutors charged the 13-year-old boy as an adult, making him one of the youngest ever in Oklahoma to be charged as an adult with first-degree murder.

At a hearing Thursday, a judge ordered a psychological evaluation of the boy to determine how his case should be handled in the future.

The boy's attorney and mother declined comment when contacted by The Oklahoman. 

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