One teen dead, one in custody after unintentional shooting

By Doug Spoon, Editor

A 19-year-old male is in police custody and a 17-year-old male is dead following an unintentional shooting in Menifee on Sunday, authorities said.

Officers responded at 8:35 p.m. to the report of a shooting in the 27700 block of Watson Road, according to a Menifee Police Department news release. First responders located the 17-year-old unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Despite lifesaving measures, the male succumbed to his injuries.

There were three other teenagers, ages 19, 18 and 17, on the scene at the time of the shooting. They remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation, which revealed that the teenagers were horseplaying with a firearm they believed was not loaded. The 19-year-old, identified as Jesse Duncan, pulled the trigger, striking the victim in the upper torso, police said. The other two teenagers immediately called for help and the firearm was located on scene.

All four teenagers knew each other and the case was classified as an isolated incident, with no outstanding suspects. Duncan was arrested and booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter.

The investigation is ongoing related to the ownership of the firearm and all the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Anyone with additional information regarding the shooting is asked to call the Menifee Police Department at 951-723-1500. Please reference case number MN23-1378.