Cops tell PEOPLE the dispute was over the victim's new puppy

Police: 11-Year-Old Who Shot 8-Year-Old Neighbor Could Be Tried As Adult

An 11-year-old Tennessee boy was arrested on Saturday for the alleged murder of his 8-year-old neighbor, according to police.

Jefferson County Sheriff G.W. “Bud” McCoig tells PEOPLE that an argument over a puppy sparked tragedy in White Pine, Tennessee.

Get push notifications with news, features and more.

McCoig says the unnamed boy fired his father’s shotgun into the chest of his 8-year-old next-door neighbor, Maykayla Dyer, when she refused his request to see her new puppy.

Medical responders tried to revive Maykayla at the scene, but she was unresponsive. Later, after she arrived at the hospital, physicians pronounced her dead.

McCoig says that the boy, who has been charged with first-degree murder, could be tried as an adult. Discussions with prosecutors are ongoing about that possibility, he adds.

On Monday, a judge ruled that the boy should remain in police custody until his next court appearance, which is scheduled for October 28.

A message left for the boy’s attorney, Ed Miller, was not returned Monday.