College Baseball Player Killed Because Kids Were "Bored" (UPDATED With Charges Filed)

((HT: KFOR-TV))

Australian Christopher Lane, a baseball player for East Central University in the south Oklahoma town of Ada, was visiting his girlfriend Friday in the town of Duncan- 85 miles east. Police allege that three teens drove up and shot him in the back "because they were bored" as one of the suspects who confessed to the crime apparently told Duncan, Oklahoma police.

The suspects’ car was identified on security cameras and hours later, the three suspects – ages 15, 16 and 17 – were arrested.

All three suspects are still being held at the Stephens County (OK) jail on a first-degree murder complaint. Their arraignment was postponed until Tuesday afternoon after initially being scheduled for Monday.

Here's the story from Duncan...


"He was an absolute joy to coach," baseball coach Dino Rosato said in a statement issued by the school. "Chris was an extremely well-respected teammate. ... He set a great example for all of his teammates, but more importantly for the younger players. He was a mature student-athlete who his teammates could look to for advice and support."

Mike Smith of the Duncan (OK) Banner newspaper caught up with town sheriff Danny Ford:

Ford said the 17-year-old suspect implicated the 16-year-old as the one who pulled the trigger while the three drove by in a car.

The 17-year-old was the only one providing any details, he said. Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney said the teens were being isolated from one another and other inmates at the Stephens County Jail. Police have not found the gun or bullet casing but Ford said statements made by the 17-year-old lead police to think it might have been a revolver.

The mother of the 16-year-old has come forward and apologized to Lane's family. But she also believes that her son was not the one who pulled the trigger.

TUESDAY UPDATE:

Officials have charged 15-year-old James Edwards Jr. and 16-year-old Chancey Luna with first-degree murder as adults.

In addition, 17-year-old Michael Jones is facing two felony counts of discharging a weapon and accessory to murder after the fact.

He is being charged as a juvenile.