A juvenile suffered a fatal gunshot wound at a residence in Irvine on March 27, prompting an investigation by the Irvine Police Department and the Orange County Fire Authority.
Officers responded to a home in the area of Heathergreen and Weepingwood around 2:40 p.m. Thursday and found the injured boy, who was later pronounced dead.
Preliminary investigations suggested the injury may have been self-inflicted, though authorities are still determining whether it was intentional or accidental.
Authorities interviewed the victim’s friend and at least one adult who was present during the incident. The victim did not reside at the home where the shooting occurred and was visiting his friend at the residence, where the firearm involved was already present.
Following their investigations, authorities arrested Christian Douglas Yeager, 56, of Irvine, on Friday and booked him into Orange County Jail on charges of criminal storage of a firearm and child endangerment.
The victim was identified as an eighth-grade student at Southlake Middle School, although authorities did not release his name. The Irvine Unified School District is providing support and resources for students and staff affected by this tragedy. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Steen at [email protected].
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