Prosecutors are filing manslaughter charges against a New Hope teenager accused of shooting a friend in the eye

A 17-year-old who allegedly shot his friend in the eye is now charged with manslaughter after the victim succumbed to his injuries.

As previously reported, 16-year-old Keair Reed was shot and killed on September 18 at his friend's home in the 6000 block of Quebec Avenue North in New Hope. He died six days later.

A juvenile lawsuit filed last week in Hennepin District Court alleges that 17-year-old Anthony Freebird Wirtjes called 911 after the shooting and said Reed had shot himself.

Wirtjes told investigators he was sleeping and woke up to the sound of gunfire. However, witnesses who were inside the home said they saw Wirtjes and Reed “giggling” and “joking” just before they heard a gunshot.

A witness said he saw Reed lean over Wirtjes and ask for an e-cigarette shortly before the shooting. The petition then states that Wirtjes was seen holding Reed and screaming “No, no, no!” The same witness said he didn't see a gun at the time of the shooting, but the two had been “playing with the gun and taking photos and videos” the night before.

Based on the location of the bullets and the position of the boys, investigators concluded that the teenager had shot his friend, according to witnesses. Court documents noted that the witness statements contradicted Wirtjes' statements and his 911 call that the victim shot himself.

The original juvenile application was filed before Reed's death. In addition to the charges of first-degree assault and possession and operation of a gun with a binary trigger, Wirtjes now faces an additional charge of second-degree manslaughter.

The public prosecutor's office has requested that Wirtjes be certified as an adult.