Affidavit: Teen ‘jokingly’ pointed gun at friends before McAllen shooting

McALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — A probable cause affidavit provided new details in a McAllen shooting that left a teenager hospitalized and two others in custody.

Angel Manuel Gonzalez, 18, was arraigned on a charge of aggravated assault with a weapon (brain injury/paralysis), according to Hidalgo County Jail records. Hiram Zuniga, 17, was charged with tampering with evidence.

On Monday, McAllen police responded to the 4200 block of Zinnia Avenue in reference to a boy who had possibly shot himself. Once they arrived, they met with Gonzalez and two juveniles who said their friend had been shot.

The group also reported that another person had left the scene with the gun used in the shooting, a probable cause affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral stated.

A detective later met with Gonzalez at the police station, where he said he was at his friend’s house, along with his friend’s brother and his friend’s 15-year-old cousin. He said the four of them were playing videogames.

Gonzalez said moments later, Zuniga arrived in a truck and he met with him outside. Gonzalez added that while inside the truck, Zuniga showed him a black Glock pistol on his waistline, the document stated.

Gonzalez told detectives that Zuniga told him to take the gun because it was too tight around his waist. Gonzalez said he then took the gun and put it in his right pocket of his shorts.

“[Gonzalez] stated as he walked into his juvenile friend’s bedroom, he jokingly pointed the handgun towards his friends, and then heard a loud noise,” the affidavit stated.

At this point, Gonzalez said he noticed his friend’s 15-year-old cousin had been shot in the head. Gonzalez denied knowing the gun was loaded.

Gonzalez said he called 911 and confronted Zuniga about the gun being loaded, adding that he punched Zuniga in the face. Gonzalez said Zuniga left the location in the truck with the gun. Zuniga was found with the truck at the 5600 block of Petal Street in Edinburg where he was detained by DPS and Hidalgo County deputies.

Zuniga was interviewed, where he first told authorities the 15-year-old boy shot himself. Zuniga then said the victim’s cousin was playing with the weapon when it accidentally discharged and struck him, the affidavit stated.

Zuniga told detectives he was told to hide the weapon, and buried it at the back corner of an abandoned house on Petal Street. Detectives located the weapon buried at the location Zuniga described. It was identified as a black Glock 45.

Gonzalez was booked into the Hidalgo County Jail on Tuesday where his bond was set at $30,000. Zuniga’s bond was set at $5,000. Both teens were released from jail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KVEO-TV.