JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A Jacksonville teen has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after he fatally shot his girlfriend while the two were smoking marijuana and playing with a gun.
Local news agencies report that 19-year-old Elgardo Garcia Jr. was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty last month to manslaughter and other charges in the October 2015 death of 17-year-old Jaylene Cruz.
Police said Garcia and Cruz were pointing the laser sight from the stolen .40-caliber handgun at each other when Garcia accidently pulled the trigger and shot Cruz in the face.
Garcia faced 22 years in prison.
Garcia’s family read a letter in court from their son to Cruz’s family. He apologized for what happened and said it was an accident.
Cruz’s family said they accepted his apology.
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