In a tragic turn of events on a Saturday night in Rock Hill, South Carolina, 17-year-old Ja'Terreon Thorne lost his life in what was ultimately deemed an accidental shooting. The incident occurred on April 2, 2016, in the front yard of his home on Horseman Drive. Thorne was a junior at Northwestern High School, where he had previously been a member of the football team.
Initially investigated as a homicide, police soon determined that the shooting was unintentional.
Thorne had been with two friends in a 'man cave' in his backyard, watching television and playing games when a loaded gun was introduced. While 20-year-old Robreece Pickett was handling the. 22-caliber pistol, it discharged, striking Thorne in the chest.
After being shot, Thorne was moved from the backyard to the side of the house where an attempt was made to revive him with a water hose. Pickett, who was a friend of Thorne, initially fled the scene but was later apprehended by authorities. He first claimed a rival gang was responsible but later admitted his role in the accidental shooting after another friend who was present told the truth.
Pickett was charged with involuntary manslaughter and unlawful carry of a weapon. He pleaded guilty to these charges, as well as to a marijuana possession charge. Prosecutors noted that Pickett and others present were associated with a local gang and had been taking turns holding the illegal firearm throughout the day. At the time of the shooting, Pickett was out on bond for a prior gun possession charge. He received a sentence of up to five years in a youthful offender prison for his role in Thorne's death. Thorne's mother expressed in court that this sentence felt like a 'slap on the wrist' for the loss of her son's life.
