Cooper City Teen Charged As Juvenile In Deadly Shooting

FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A 14-year old Cooper City boy accused of shooting and killing his friend will not be charged as an adult.

A judge has ruled that the manslaughter charge against Eric Palacios will remain in juvenile court.

Since Palacios has been juvenile detention for three weeks after the fatal shooting, he's set to be released no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday. His arraignment on the manslaughter charge will be in the next ten days.

In late July, Broward Sheriff's Office said Palacios pulled out his stepfather's gun kept in a box in the garage and passed it around to Charlie Martin and Martin's brother who were visiting the home for the day.

Palacios is accused of firing the deadly shot which struck Martin in the head.

Palacios attorney insists it was an accident.

If convicted, he faces three years in a juvenile detention facility.