SAN ANTONIO – A 12-year-old boy who was shot in the face early Thursday morning inside an East Side townhome later died at University Hospital.
Police said the boy, Julian Karnazuta-Gomez, was with his 14-year-old cousin at the younger boy's home in the 4600 block of East Houston Street when the gun went off around 2 a.m.
Police responded to the Place at Houston Street Townhomes. According to police, Karnazuta-Gomez, the 14-year-old shooter and two other children were playing with the gun when it was fired.
The boy's cousin reported that he discovered the gun near the home.
"They were walking in a field, and they found a handgun. They returned the gun to the victim's residence, went to his room, and the suspect started playing with the gun," said Doug Greene, public information officer for the San Antonio Police Department.
Neighbors expressed sadness and concern over the child's death.
"We were hoping the little boy made it. He was a kid, but unfortunately not," said Blanca Rios, who lives next door with her husband and four daughters. "It's scary, because my girls' rooms are upstairs, so it could have gone through the walls. They're not very thick."
According to police, Gomez's parents told investigators they were downstairs when the shooting occurred putting two other little children to bed. They told police they had no idea the gun was brought into their home.
SAPD officials took the alleged shooter and another teen who was inside the room in for questioning.
Police said parents should talk to their children about gun safety before they have a chance to find a gun.
"Have that conversation with them about gun safety. If you come across an abandoned gun, do not touch it. Go tell an adult or call the police. Let us handle it, but please do not pick up that gun," Greene said.