Post date: Aug 21, 2013 11:27:16 AM
Authorities charge three teenage boys in the killing of an Australian university student in Oklahoma "for the fun of it".
DUNCAN, OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 20, 2013) (NBC) - Three teenage boys were charged in the killing of an Australian university student in Oklahoma "for the fun of it," prosecutors said on Tuesday (August 20).
Christopher Lane, of Melbourne, was found dead of a gunshot wound on Friday, according to police in Duncan, Oklahoma, about 80 miles (130 km) south ofOklahoma City.Charged with first-degree murder are Chancey Allen Luna, 16, and James Francis Edwards Jr., 15. Michael Dewayne Jones, 17, who allegedly drove the vehicle carrying the other suspects, was charged with use of a vehicle in the discharge of a weapon and accessory to murder after the fact, according to the Stephens CountyDistrict Attorney's office.
Police said Jones named Luna as the gunman.
"I would tell you I'm a long time resident of Stephens County and I am appalled a the behavior of these three children. I think it is something that this community can certainly do without and I know the entire community is upset and disappointed to see something like this happen here," said District Attorney Jason Hicks.
"I'm going to do everything that I can to ensure that we see these three thugs pay for what they did to Christopher Lane," he finished.
Lane was out jogging during a visit to his girlfriend and her family in Duncan on Friday, when he was shot in the back, police said. He attended East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, where he was on a baseball scholarship.
According to police, Jones admitted that the teens decided to kill someone "for the fun of it."
Police said a witness called 911 when she saw Lane stagger across the road and fall.
According to police, Jones told police on Sunday that they saw Lane jogging and decided he would be their target. Police said the three followed him in their vehicle and shot Lane in the back, police said.
Police used surveillance video from area businesses to identify the vehicle, which was found later at a church parking lot with the three suspects inside after a caller reported three youths with guns who were threatening to kill someone.
The vehicle's trunk contained a shotgun with the serial numbers sanded off, but the actual weapon used in the shooting has not been found, police said.
Lane's father, Peter Lane, called the killing "senseless" in an interview broadcast on CNN from Australia.
"There's not going to be any good coming out of this because it was so senseless," Lane said. "It happened, it's wrong and we're just trying to deal with it the best we can."
Lane had started as a catcher for the ECU Tigers.
In a statement, ECU baseball coach Dino Rosato said Lane was a well-respected teammate.
"He was an absolute joy to coach," said Rosato. "He set a great example for all of his teammates, but more importantly for the younger players. He was a mature student-athlete who his teammates could look to for advice and support."