Norristown, Pennsylvania — A 13-year-old boy is facing an adult murder charge after authorities say he found a handgun near a trash can and fatally shot his 16-year-old friend while playing with the weapon inside a Norristown home.
Daniel Hawkins-Boyce has been charged with third-degree murder in the death of William Boyd, according to court records and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. He also faces charges including receiving stolen property, involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a minor and possession of an instrument of crime with intent.
The shooting happened Sept. 22 at a home on the 800 block of Arch Street in Norristown, about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
Police Say Boy Found the Gun Near a Trash Can
Authorities say the handgun involved in the shooting was a Ruger .380 pistol that had previously been reported stolen in Philadelphia.
The weapon was reported stolen June 3, according to the district attorney’s office.
A family member of Hawkins-Boyce told authorities that the 13-year-old “had found a handgun beside a trash can and was playing with it” before the shooting.
Boyd was also inside the home at the time. According to authorities, Hawkins-Boyce allegedly fired the handgun while the two boys were together.
The bullet struck Boyd in the face.
Officers Find Teen Dead Inside Home
Norristown police were called to the residence at approximately 10:30 a.m. Sept. 22 following a 911 report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found Boyd dead on the first floor of the home.
An autopsy was later conducted by Dr. Lauren Thoma of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. According to authorities, Thoma “determined the cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was homicide.”
Detectives investigating the shooting recovered the Ruger handgun from the scene. Investigators also determined that the firearm had previously been reported stolen, adding a separate stolen-property allegation to the charges against Hawkins-Boyce.
Prosecutors Say the Gun Was Recklessly Fired
After the shooting, Hawkins-Boyce was detained and charged in adult court.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said investigators’ evidence “clearly showed that the defendant recklessly fired the firearm at the victim, fatally striking him.” Steele also addressed the defendant’s age and why the case was initially filed in adult court.
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The DA said:
“Despite the child’s age, Pennsylvania law requires us to charge the defendant in adult court, but we anticipate that the Court will review whether or not the case will remain in adult or move to juvenile court.”
That means the case could ultimately proceed in either adult or juvenile court depending on the court’s review.
Teen’s Bail Set at $20,000
Hawkins-Boyce was arraigned Wednesday following the charges. His bail was set at 10% of $200,000, meaning he could potentially be released after posting $20,000.
The case is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 14. The hearing is expected to be an important next step in determining how the criminal case proceeds.
Investigation Continues After Fatal Shooting
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation as prosecutors and the court determine the next steps.
Authorities say the handgun had been reported stolen months before the fatal incident, and detectives recovered it during their investigation at the Norristown residence.
The case also highlights the potential consequences of an unsecured firearm being accessible to children and teenagers.
For now, Hawkins-Boyce faces serious charges connected to the death of Boyd, while the court will determine whether the case remains in adult court or is transferred to juvenile proceedings.
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