KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A Jackson County judge has decided that a 15-year-old charged in the shooting death of another teenager won’t be tried as an adult.

The Kansas City Star reports that the defendant faces second-degree murder and tampering charges in the Feb. 15 death of 15-year-old Raytown High School student Jaiair Strong.

Witnesses told investigators that the defendant, Strong and other teenager went to an apartment to meet a fourth person they said was going to sell them marijuana. But court records suggest that investigators believe the three teens actually had gone there to steal a handgun from that youth.

Strong was wounded as he and the youth struggled over the gun.

The defendant’s case will remain in family court, with a hearing scheduled for July 15.