Bellevue 16-Year-old Accused of Shooting His Younger Brother Pleads Not Guilty to Assault

The Bellevue 16-year-old boy charged in connection with shooting his 12-year-old brother in the face last month pleaded not guilty to charges of Assault Second Degree with a Firearm Enhancement and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Second Degree, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's website.

The 16-year-old, who was charged as an adult, is accused of shooting and wounding his brother in their Bellevue home on Jan. 31. The teen, Adrian Flores Maldonado, will return to court for a case setting hearing at 2 p.m. March 2 at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center.

He is being held on $250,000 bail and if convicted as charged, he faces a sentence range of three to four years in prison, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Police say Jan. 31.

Investigators with 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. The brother was rushed to Harborview Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.

The 16-year-old said he bought the gun in December for protection and status and said he was affiliated with  gang, police said. According to police, he said he forgot that the gun was loaded when he pointed it at his brother and he only meant to scare his younger brother when he pulled the trigger.