The teen's father, who owned the gun used in the shooting, also is arrested. Meanwhile, services are held for the slain boy.
By CHRIS TISCH
Published September 11, 2003
LARGO - As more than 500 family and friends gathered Wednesday afternoon to remember a 12-year-old boy, a father and his teenage son stepped into a police department lobby to face charges in his death.
The mourners were at a Seminole funeral home to remember Sean Caroline II, a Largo Middle School seventh-grader who police say was accidentally shot to death Friday afternoon.
The boy who police say accidentally shot him, Louis J. Mevec, 14, was arrested on a manslaughter charge Wednesday and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center. Police said Louis was playing with a .357-caliber Magnum when it discharged. Sean was shot in the head. The handgun is owned by Louis' father, Louis S. Mevec, 52, who stored the gun under his living room couch. Mevec was taken into custody on a culpable negligence charge because he left the gun in a place where a child could easily find it, police said. He was being held on $10,000 bail Wednesday evening.
Sean and Louis, along with three other classmates, were skipping school Friday afternoon when they headed to Louis' Whispering Palms apartment in Largo. One of the other boys was Louis' 11-year-old brother.
School officials said they think it was the first time any of the boys had skipped school. Police said both Mevec boys knew where the gun was kept. Louis slid it out from underneath the couch, and the youngsters, thinking it was unloaded, began playing with it.
"They were playing with it and pointing it at each other," said Detective Keith Barton. "Unfortunately, it was loaded."
While the three other boys were in the living room watching television, Louis and Sean were in a bedroom. Sean was playing a PlayStation video game, Grand Theft Auto, as Louis talked with him and handled the gun.
Louis pointed the gun at Sean and pulled the trigger. Moments later, a screaming Louis called 911 for help.
Barton said that although the teenager didn't mean to shoot his friend, the manslaughter charge still applies.
"That statute does not require any intent," he said. "Basically, that's the killing of another person when it's not justifiable or excusable. Even though it was an accident, the end result is the same."
As for the father, authorities have said the culpable negligence charge - in regard to storing firearms - was established for this kind of case.
"It fits the statute to a T," Barton said.
Though Largo police have consulted with the State Attorney's Office during their investigation, prosecutors have not formally charged either father or son, said Bruce Bartlett, the office's chief assistant.
He said his office will now begin its own investigation to determine whether it should prosecute.
If tried and convicted of culpable negligence, a third-degree felony, Louis S. Mevec could face as much as five years in prison. Prosecutors also must decide whether they want to charge his son as a child or an adult.
If tried as an adult, the younger Mevec could face as much as 15 years in prison if convicted. If charged as a juvenile, he could face an array of punishments if found guilty.
Bartlett said the teen's age will be a factor in prosecutors' decision.
"I think there would be strong consideration given to keeping it as a child (prosecution)," he said.
While the Mevecs were being arrested, more than 500 people poured into Lewis M. Mohn Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Wednesday afternoon for visitation. Mourners filled the seats and spilled into hallways and side rooms for the 5 p.m. services, a funeral home official said.
Though family members have said they are not ready to speak publicly, friends have described Sean as a fine young man who enjoyed golf and inline skating. He also was an all-star Little League baseball player and was in a fast-track learning program at school.
Friends have said Sean's parents are taking his death very hard.
Authorities said Louis S. Mevec has hired an attorney to represent him and his son, though they could not provide the attorney's name late Wednesday.
"He has cooperated throughout this investigation and is totally devastated by this, as are his sons," Barton said.
He said the Mevecs knew they were going to face arrest when they came to the police station Wednesday. Both father and son were emotional. "There were some tears shed," Barton said.
