The attorney for a teen arrested in the apparently accidental shooting death of his friend says his young client was not treated properly while he was in custody.
Attorney Alex Michael of Coral Gables told NBC 6 he is concerned about tactics used by police during the interview with his client.
"I know they pushed around my 14-year-old kid and they forced him into some kind of statement," Michael said.
NBC 6 has reached out to Miami Gardens police for comment on Michael's claims.
The teen was arrested after an apparently accidental shooting that resulted in the death of 14-year-old Tavaris Rhodes of Miami Gardens on Saturday.
According to Miami Gardens police, Rhodes was staying at a home in the 2800 block of Northwest 172 Terrace.
The accused 14-year-old was allegedly showing a gun to Rhodes when the weapon fired and Rhodes was shot.
Rhodes was airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Center, where he later died.
The accused 14-year-old was charged with manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a minor and taken into juvenile custody.
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Michael, meanwhile, said his client should not have been charged with manslaughter because the shooting was a tragic accident.
Grief counselors will be on hand Monday at a middle school in Miami Gardens, where Rhodes was a student.
An investigation is ongoing.
