The North Miami Beach man charged with shooting and killing his friend took a plea deal in court on Thursday.
Brandon Lapeikis is accused of shooting his friend in 2013 while the pair were watching a football game.
Lapeikis pleaded guilty to killing his friend, Christian Salazar. He turned to the victim's family during the plea hearing and apologized, "I would like to apologize to everybody for what happened that very sad day."
Detectives said Lapeikis and Salazar were in the defendant's home when the gun went off.
This is part of the 911 call Lapeikis made after the shooting: "I just shot my friend by mistake in the head."
Salazar didn't die right away but a few days later in the hospital. His mother, Wendy Jaramillo, and other family members were in court for the emotional hearing. Jaramillo said it was an accident between teenagers, and forgave Lapeikis.
"This is just a ridiculous accident with kids playing with a gun. It was stupid but it wasn't malicious and the gun belonged to the poor young man who died. It was his gun, he put the bullet in it and didn't tell my client," said Defense Attorney Michael Catalano.
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The plea deal of one-year in prison for manslaughter was approved by Salazar's family.
"I've been here 32 years and they are the most compassionate family I've ever seen here," Catalano said.
Lapeikis was fingerprinted and handcuffed. He was immediately taken into custody to begin serving his one-year prison sentence followed by 10 years of probation.
