A 16-year-old mugger has been killed after a bullet fired by an accomplice ricocheted off their victim’s face and shot him dead.

The incident happened when a group of males accosted the man at a housing complex in San Francisco and demanded he hand over his possessions, police said.

The man complied, but as the muggers were taking his valuables, including a mobile phone, one of them pulled a handgun and shot at him.

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The bullet struck his face, bounced off, then hit one of the other robbers, 16-year-old Clifton Chatman.

When police arrived on the scene, Chatman was pronounced dead and the muggers’ victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He is expected to survive.

The other suspects fled following the shooting, which happened at around 11pm on 14 December.

A second 16-year-old has now been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted robbery. Police did not say whether they believe he was the one who pulled the trigger.

The remaining members of the group involved in the crime are being searched for by investigators.