Teen Shot Friend, Jury Declares Kill as Justified

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A special jury that had convened for an inquest into the May shooting death of a teenager at the hands of his friend has found the shooter committed justifiable homicide.

Seventeen-year-old Seth Culver shot and killed 15-year-old MacKeon "Mackey" Schulte when the younger boy knocked on his bedroom window late at night.

The Billings Gazette reports the jury ruled Wednesday that Culver was justified in shooting the victim, who he thought was an intruder, and ruled the act was not criminal.

Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito says his office will determine whether charges will be sought, and he will be speaking with the two attorneys involved on Thursday. He is able to decline the jury's finding and still prosecute the case.