17-year-old Chalmette male arrested in accidental shooting of 16-year-old girl, who is hospitalized; shooter held on $25,000 bond

A 17-year-old Chalmette male was arrested and booked on three charges after he accidentally shot and wounded a 16-year girl while showing off a handgun to her and a 14-year-old girl in the back yard of his home Monday night, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The victim, Emma Colmenares, is hospitalized at University Hospital in New Orleans with a bullet wound behind her right ear.

Andrew Carroll, 2317 Pecan Drive, was showing the handgun to the 16-year-old victim and a 14-year old girl just before 6 p.m. in the back yard of his residence when the gun went off, striking the victim in the face. Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The victim initially walked to the home of a relative on Riverland Drive and called authorities.

Carroll was booked by sheriff’s detectives with negligent injury, illegal use of a weapon and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. He is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison on bond set Tuesday at $25,000.