Investigation continues into shooting of Kelso teen

A formal decision on whether to charge a 13-year-old in Kelso who shot and killed a friend Saturday will be made by Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, according to a release from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s office.

That will happen once the investigation is complete. The release said the sheriff’s office has no estimate on when the investigation will conclude.

Authorities were called shortly before noon Saturday to a home in the 1500 block of Carroll Road in Kelso. They were called by a 13-year-old who said he accidentally shot his friend.

Deputies who responded to the scene obtained brief statements from the 13-year-old and are hoping for cooperation from his family so they can interview him again soon to learn more details, according to the release.

The 13-year-old told deputies he thought the gun was unloaded.

No adults were home at the time of the shooting. The Cowlitz County Coroner late Saturday identified the victim as Edgar Vasquez, 13, of Kelso.

Authorities did not release the name of the shooter.

The release sent out Tuesday afternoon offered few details about the shooting, other than to note the victim was shot with a shotgun.

The sheriff’s office also declined to give out more details about the location or ownership of the firearm in the same release.