Delaware Preteen & New Jersey Teen Charged In Shooting Death
Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 7:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CAMDEN, NJ.- Last Tuesday, following an investigation, a 12-year-old Wilmington, Delaware girl, and a 16-year-old Camden, New Jersey boy were taken into custody and formally charged with juvenile delinquency in connection with the shooting death of a 16-year-old Camden, New Jersey boy that occurred earlier last month in Camden, New Jersey.
According to Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay, on June 6, 2025, just shortly after 12:30 p.m., members of the Camden County Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a teenager being shot at a residence located on the 1500 Block of Thorn Street in the City of Camden.
Police Officers Find Teen Shot Inside The House
Upon arrival, Police Officers located a boy, later identified as Xyere Brooks, 16, of Camden, inside the residence suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Xyere Brooks was immediately transported to Cooper University Hospital, where, despite life-saving efforts, Mr. Brooks tragically succumbed to his injury and was pronounced deceased around 2:15 p.m. During the initial investigation, Police Officers identified multiple teenagers inside the residence at the time of the shooting.
During the ensuing investigation, Detectives determined that a 16-year-old boy from Camden, New Jersey, had brought the firearm into the residence. It was further determined that a 12-year-old girl from Wilmington, Delaware, was playing with the firearm and recklessly discharged the weapon, resulting in the fatal shooting of Xyere Brooks.
Juveniles Surrender To Law Enforcement
On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, both juveniles surrendered themselves to Detectives at the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office in Camden, New Jersey. Detectives formally charged the 12-year-old girl with one count of second-degree Manslaughter; and one count of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. The 16-year-old boy was formally charged with one count of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
Both teenagers were processed on the charges, and following their initial appearance in Camden County Superior Court Family Law Division, they were released on conditions pending their next court appearance, which has been scheduled for July 23, 2025.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and a juvenile defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
