Oroville teen sentenced for accidental shooting death of friend during stolen car joyride

OROVILLE, Calif. — A Butte County teen has been sentenced for the accidental shooting death of his 13-year-old friend during a joyride in a stolen car earlier this year, according to Butte County District Attorney, Mike Ramsey.

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According to the DA, the shooting death of the 13-year-old victim,Amadeus Rain Miller-Ramos, happened earlier this year in Gridley when he, the defendant, and another teenage boy were playing with a handgun in a stolen car during the early hours of July 18. Miller-Ramos was sitting in the front seat when he was accidentally shot through the back by the defendant who was sitting in the back seat, officials say. According to officials, the defendant claimed to not know the gun was loaded at the time of the shooting.

Because they didn't know there was a hospital in Gridley, officials say, the boys tried to rush Miller-Ramos to the hospital in Oroville, but he died en route. According to the DA, Miller-Ramos' body was left in an open field in Thermalito where he was eventually found. Officials say the surviving boys gave differing stories about the disposal of Miller-Ramos' body, so an investigation into who is ultimately responsible for the disposal of his body is still underway.

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Ramsey says it was an emotional hearing as members of the 13-year-old victim's family and friends shared statements about how his death has devastated their lives. The judge also addressed the defendant during the hearing, saying, the worst thing about the incident was abandoning the victim's body in a field rather than going to the hospital or police.

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According to the DA, the defendant is sentenced to spend the next three years in juvenile hall where he will undergo rehabilitation for substance abuse, as well as social and mental health issues.