Teen arrested for accidentally shooting friend; lying about drive-by shooting

BATON ROUGE – A 19-year-old was arrested for lying to the police about a drive-by shooting after he accidentally shot his friend.

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office arrested 19-year-old Javonte Miles for illegal use of a weapon and negligent injuring.

On Saturday, Dec. 17 around 1:40 a.m. the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office was contacted by BRPD in reference to a shooting victim at the hospital. Officers stated that the victim was dropped off at the hospital by two friends after being shot in the leg. The victim was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center for further treatment.

The two friends, one identified as Miles, were detained and questioned. The two stated that while hanging out in the parking lot of Merrydale Elementary School on Rio Drive a car began shooting at them and then sped off. They further stated that after they stopped running from the car, the victim was discovered shot in the leg. Miles and his friend then drove the victim to the hospital.



The victim also gave a similar statement when questioned separately.



However, when Miles' vehicle was searched, several nine millimeter live rounds were found in the center console, but no gun was located.

Upon further interviewing, the victim admitted that the original statement he, Miles and the third friend gave was not true and that while inside Miles' home, Miles was handling an assault type weapon and accidentally shot him in the leg. The victim admitted that all three made up the story so Miles would not get in trouble.

Miles was arrested on the above charges.