Teen charged in deadly Kinston shooting expected in court

KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) -- A teen charged with shooting and killing another teen last week is expected in court.

Kinston police charged 16-year-old Ricardo Nava's 15-year-old neighbor with voluntary manslaughter. Police say the neighbor pointed his dad's 12-gauge at Nava last Wednesday and pulled the trigger.

Because of the suspect's age, police aren't releasing his name. We do know he went to school with Nava.

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KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) -- A teenager accused in the shooting death of another teenager in Kinston faces a charge of voluntary manslaughter tonight.

Kinston police charged the 15-year-old with shooting and killing 16-year-old Ricardo Nava with a shotgun. Investigators say the teenager was holding his fathers 12 guage – he pointed it at Nava and pulled the trigger.

Investigators still aren’t releasing the suspect’s name because he is a minor but we do know that he was a friend and classmate of Ricardo Nava’s at South Lenoir High School.

People we talked with today describe the shooter as troubled, but still they say he’d never intentionally harm someone.

15-year-old Oscar Nava came home from school Wednesday night to find out his brother, Ricky, was dead. But when he learned who pulled the trigger, it came as no surprise.

"He always had guns on him and everything and he always used to play around with us, “ Nava said about his neighbor.

 Oscar says his older brother warned him about their 15-year-old neighbor.

"He always told me not to do bad stuff like he does. It just made me not really want to be around him that much."

Still he says his brother and his shooter were good friends. Classmates agree. They say the suspect was a troubled teen.

"I knew he wasn't the nicest kid around but to kill one of his best friends it's something I would not believe,” said classmate, Dennys Menjivar.

Students at South Lenoir High School are already finding ways to honor Nava.

Thursday morning the soccer team led a moment of silence for the former starting goalie.

"He was a very integral part of the team. He was like a son to me and like a brother To the kids,” said coach, Gregory Leentine.

The school is working out plans for a memorial service for the teen. As his family tries to make sense of  it all.

"Do you forgive him?” asked Nine on Your Side’s Kristen Hunter.

"I don't know,” said Nava.

The 15-year-old suspect is scheduled to have a hearing on Monday in Lenoir County District Court.

According to the District Attorney’s office voluntary manslaughter means the crime is being considered a  homicide but that the suspect did not have prior intent to kill.

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KINSTON, N.C. - A 15 year old has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of 16-year-old Ricardo Nava.

The male suspect is being held in a secure juvenile holding facility in Greenville.

Preliminary findings from the investigation show the suspect was in his bedroom with another acquaintance when Nava came over. According to witnesses, the juvenile suspect, handling his father’s 12 gauge shotgun was pointing the shotgun at his friends, although there was no indication of an argument or disagreement.

The juvenile allegedly racked the shotgun, pointed it at the victim and pulled the trigger, killing Nava.

We'll have more details as they become available.

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KINSTON, N.C. - A teen's death is under investigation today.

It happened on Kay's Path Road around Noon.

Sheriff's deputies and investigators say when they arrived on the scene they found 16-year-old Ricardo Rafael Nava, or "Ricky" as he was known by friends, dead from a gunshot wound to the upper chest. They say the injury was delivered by a 12 gauge shotgun.

Neighbors say the victim lived across the street and was said to be visiting his cousin and a friend.

Family and frineds say Ricky was an all around great guy, who was very trustworthy.

"He was one of my greatest cousins, was a sweet guy and he was known by everybody," said the vicitm's cousin, Mimi Bravo.

Preliminary findings indicate the victim died at the hands of a 15-year-old acquaintance who had his father's shotgun. It's believed to have happened in the juvenile suspect's bedroom.

Because of their ages, Deputies say they will not release the names of the others involved in the shooting.

It's not known if the death was accidental or intentional.

The investigation remains underway and no charges have currently been filed.

"I love him, I miss him, and he'll always be in my heart," said the victim's brother, Oscar Nava.