Chicago teen ‘admits killing his friend with a shotgun’ in a bizarre Snapchat video sent from the back of a police car
Anthony Mendoza, 17, is charged with first-degree murder after blasted 16-year-old Christian Bandemer in the chest
A TEENAGER who killed blasted his mate in the chest with a shotgun confessed to the killing in a Snapchat video sent from the back of a police squad car, prosecutors said.
Anthony Mendoza, 17, is charged with first-degree murder after shooting his friend Christian Bandemer, 16.
He warned the victim's cousin “not to snitch” but then after he was arrested he sent pals a Snapchat video saying: “I killed Chris and now I'm going to kill myself,” a court heard.
Lawyers for Mendoza insist the gun went off accidentally as the pals messed around with the weapon at Chris's home in Chicago, US.
Prosecutors said the accused teenager was loading and unloading the gun before it went off and should have known there was a strong possibility of killing someone.
Chris's 20-year-old cousin, who had gone outside to have a cigarette, rushed back inside after hearing a loud "pop" and found the teenager fatally wounded.
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Mendoza had gone outside to hide the gun in long grass, the court heard. The cousin tried to give Chris first aid by applying pressure to the gunshot wound to his chest.
Assistant State's Attorney Anna Sedelmaier said: “After about a minute, the defendant came back from hiding the gun and he has blood on him and asked the cousin what happened.”
Mendoza, wearing a blue juvenile detention centre T-shirt and with slicked back hair, looked back into the public gallery towards a small group of friends and family during the hearing.
Defence attorney Mike Johnson said the shooting was an “accident,” adding that Mendoza had “no animosity toward” the victim.
Judge Peggy Chiampas said there was not enough evidence to convince her the shooting was intentional, and set a $250,000 bail bond.
She said: “What this is, is a tragedy. An absolute tragedy".