Teen Charged in Friend’s Death

A teenager was charged Wednesday with killing his best friend in a fight over a loaded weapon, but the victim’s family said they do not want the youth prosecuted.

The Orange County district attorney’s office filed the felony charge of involuntary manslaughter against the 15-year-old Artesia High School student, whose name was not released because of his age.

The youth had wrestled with Matthew L. Aragon, also 15, for control of a .22-caliber handgun that was drawn during a quarrel Sunday afternoon, police said.

Aragon’s father said Wednesday he does not want the youth to face criminal charges.

“I think the boy never meant it to be like that,” an emotional Ron Aragon said. “They were friends, and the boy comes from a good family.”

La Palma police had sought voluntary manslaughter charges against the teenager.

But Deputy Dist. Atty. Joe D’Agostino, who is prosecuting the case, said, “It looked more like criminal negligence than an intentional shooting.” The teenager also faces a second felony charge of being a minor in possession of a handgun.

A hearing will be held today in Orange County Juvenile Court to determine if the youth will continue to be held at juvenile hall or be allowed to go home under electronic confinement.

D’Agostino said the teenager will not be tried as an adult, although defendants as young as 14 can be tried as adults in murder cases.

If found guilty on all counts, the youth faces incarceration at the California Youth Authority until age 21.

Matthew Aragon, a student at John F. Kennedy High School, was shot in the head during the struggle in his bedroom, police said. He died Monday morning shortly after being taken off life support at UCI Medical Center in Orange.

His funeral on Saturday will include a performance by the John F. Kennedy High School marching band, for which he played the clarinet.

Ron Aragon said his son had a “roomful of trophies, medals and certificates” for academic achievements and swimming.

“In my whole life, I’ll never get that many awards,” he said. “In 15 years, he has accomplished all that. He’s good at whatever he does.”

He said his son wanted to be a Navy SEAL and had a passion for airplanes, rockets, in-line skating and dancing. He acknowledged that his son also was fascinated with guns but said he had been instructed in safety and had always used precautions when handling a weapon.

Services will be at 10 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress.