Juvenile appears in court for Wauseon shooting death

3/15/2012

WAUSEON — A 14-year-old boy appeared in Fulton County Juvenile Court Thursday afternoon to face a charge in the accidental shooting death of a friend.

Felipe Villanueva, Jr., faces one count of delinquency in connection with negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, for the Wednesday death of Michael J. Schwartz, 13.

Wearing a yellow jail jumpsuit and handcuffs, the Villanueva youth answered Judge Michael Bumb’s questions in a soft voice. He faces up to 90 days in a juvenile facility, a possible loss of driving privileges for four years, and a $250 fine.

Authorities said the two boys and a third youth were at a Howard Avenue home before school Wednesday when the shooting occurred. They have described the death as an accident.

Family members of the Schwartz youth, who were in court Thursday, agreed that the incident was an accident.

Judge Bumb set another court hearing for March 21.