Bellevue 16-year-old Accused of Shooting Brother Charged As Adult with Assault

BELLEVUE -- A Bellevue 16-year-old who police say shot his little brother in the mouth was charged as an adult with assault, and faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

Adrian Flores Maldonado was charged Monday night. His bail was set at $250,000.

Prosecutors said in filing papers that Maldonado was charged as a adult because of the serious nature of the violent crime he is accused of committing.

Investigators say that the teenager and the 12-year-old started wrestling during an argument over a video game at their home at the at 12th Place Condos in the 16200 block of NE 12th Ct. around 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, according to police.

Maldonado pointed a semi-automatic handgun at his brother's face when it went off and struck the brother in the mouth, police said. Another family member called 9-1-1.

Maldonado told police that he and his 12-year-old brother were play-fighting and not angry at each other. Maldonado told investigators that he forgot his gun was loaded and pulled the trigger to scare his brother, according to court documents.

In the request for a $250,000 bail, prosecutors argued that Maldonado is a "danger to the community," saying that he claims that he forgot the gun was loaded and he hid the gun before helping his brother. Prosecutors also said in their filing that the 12-year-old's injuries are likely to be permanent.

The 16-year-old told he bought the handgun illegally in December for protection and status and claimed to be affiliated with  gang, police said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story had incorrect information on the charge that Maldonado faced.