Charges refused after 16-year-old fatally shot himself in St. Louis home: Police

ST. LOUIS (KMOV) -- The St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office refused to charge a man after a teenager fatally shot himself in the head in the City of St. Louis early Sunday morning.

The incident happened just before 2:45 a.m. in the 7800 block of Decatur.

According to St. Louis police, a 23-year-old man admitted to “showing off” the weapon to the 16-year-old and another juvenile. The teenager, who police identified as 16-year-old Bryce Birlew, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said.

The man was arrested by police. On Tuesday, police said the Circuit Attorney’s Office refused to file charges, citing more police follow-up would be needed.

St. Louis Police said their investigation is ongoing.

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