Teen dies in accidental shooting
Published 6:45 pm Tuesday, April 6, 2021
The Smithfield Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a local teenager dead last week.
Austin McMillian, 18, died in what’s being called an accidental shooting, according to Smithfield Police Department Deputy Chief Chris Meier.
The shooting happened late on March 30. Police were called about 11 p.m. to respond to the shooting, which Meier said happened in the 900 block of John Rolfe Drive. Officers then got another call that the victim was at the police station just down the street at South Church Street.
Meier said the three other individuals in the car had driven the victim to the police department and called 911. Officers arrived at the police department and located McMillian and three other individuals. McMillian was transported to the hospital, where he passed away.
The gun was a .40 caliber pistol. “All four individuals were riding in one car when the gun went off,” Meier stated.
Meier said three of those in the car ranged in age from 18 to 20, and the fourth was a juvenile.
After interviewing the other three individuals involved, police have charges pending for the suspect, Charles Wills, 18, for involuntary manslaughter.