Teen shoots brother over video game

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Police believe a 17-year-old boy shot his brother in the chest in an argument over a video game at their Independence home.

The younger boy's injuries were not considered life-threatening. His brother, Ernest Stotts, was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action Tuesday, according to Jackson County assistant prosecuting attorney Jill Iiams. Stotts was being held in the county jail on $50,000 bond.

According to police, Stotts and his brother were arguing Monday afternoon because the younger boy refused to tell Stotts where the Nintendo video game was. Police said Stotts then pulled a handgun from a closet and shot his brother in the chest.

Two other boys, ages 15 and 18, were in the home at the time of the shooting. At the scene, the boys told police they did not know how the victim was shot or who did it.

Independence Police Sgt. Doug Poole said police did not find the gun at the scene.

Independence codes enforcement officers closed the house Monday evening because of unsanitary conditions, police said.

An elderly, bed-ridden man was removed from the home by the Missouri Division of Aging. He is unrelated to the family that lives there. An injured cat was also removed.