A US teen who told police he was arming himself against for 'protection' against the coronavirus pandemic is accused of accidentally shooting his 13-year-old cousin dead.
The pandemic prepper has been charged over the fatal shooting of the boy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to reports. Anthony Padilla, 19, is accused of shooting and killing his cousin Patricio Arroyo on Thursday afternoon.
He reportedly told the Albuquerque Police Department he had brought the firearm home and pulled the trigger, claiming he did not think the shotgun was loaded.
Court records show Padilla told officers he was taking the weapon home for protection “due to the coronavirus that was going around,” the Albuquerque Journal reports.