WILKES-BARRE - The 20-year-old allegedly shot by his half-brother last month in Wilkes-Barre surrendered Friday on charges he possessed the stolen gun with which he was shot.
City police filed an arrest warrant earlier this week against Christian J. Sholly, who was shot in the chest Sept. 10 at his home.
Wilkes-Barre police say the gun used to shoot Mr. Sholly was stolen during a burglary in August and Mr. Sholly had the gun in the weeks leading up to the shooting, according to the charges. Mr. Sholly was in possession of the stolen gun moments before the shooting, police said. Mr. Sholly's girlfriend, 16, told police Mr. Sholly had been carrying and showing off the gun for weeks.
After Mr. Sholly arrived at Wilkes-Barre police headquarters Friday with his attorney, detectives charged him with possession of a stolen gun and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Rick Cronauer and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. Mr. Sholly declined comment following his arraignment.
Police previously charged Mr. Sholly's half-brother, Tony Ransome, 15, with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment in connection with the shooting. Tony faces years in a juvenile detention center after being declared delinquent Oct. 4 in Luzerne County juvenile court.
The shooting, police said, occurred after Mr. Sholly, his girlfriend, and Tony returned to their home at 86 Hutson St. after smoking marijuana. Mr. Sholly removed the gun from his waistband and placed it on a dresser, arrest papers said.
Tony initially said he then handled the gun and accidentally shot Mr. Sholly in the chest, arrest papers say. Investigators say they believe Tony picked up the gun and pointed it at Mr. Sholly's girlfriend before turning it toward Mr. Sholly and pulling the trigger.
Investigators said the gun was reported stolen on Aug. 1 by Luis A. Cool-Barrios, of 253 Stanton St., Wilkes-Barre.
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