Printer Friendly Version - Juvenile Arrested and Charged in Connection with Ethan Song’s Death

Guilford residents united on Feb. 2 to share stories and honor the life of Ethan Song, who died Jan 31 of a gunshot wound. Following news that the owner of the handgun will not be charged, the Song family announced a press conference to be on Tuesday, Nov. 27 to address gaps in the state’s laws. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

A juvenile was arrested and charged today, Nov. 26, for the accidental shooting of 15-year-old Guilford High School freshman Ethan Song in January.

Guilford Police announced the juvenile was charged with manslaughter in the second degree in conjunction with Song’s death. Police also reported that another incident involving this juvenile occurred prior to Song’s death, for which the juvenile is charged with recklessness in the first degree.

Police did not identify the juvenile. The case will be handled by the Juvenile Court in Waterbury.

On Nov. 22 the state announced it would not press charges against Daniel Markle, the owner of the gun involved in Song’s shooting, and ruled Song’s death an accident.

The report released by Waterbury State’s Attorney Maureen Platt concluded that charges could not be filed against the owner of the gun because there was insufficient evidence to prove that the weapon, a .357 Magnum handgun, was stored in a loaded state, a necessary requirement for prosecution according to current law.

Platt also concluded that, “Mr. Song’s death was a tragic event in that he accidentally shot himself in the head with a .357 magnum handgun which was stored in a master bedroom closet at the location where he was shot.”

Platt said that there was no evidence that Song knew the gun was loaded or played any role in loading the weapon. However, Platt said investigations showed that the day of the shooting was not the first time Song and the other minor had played with the guns.

Ultimately, Platt concluded that while the death of Ethan Song “was a horrific and preventable tragedy,” the gun owner could not be prosecuted under current law.

The Song family still has another lawsuit pending against Markle in New Haven Superior Court. The lawsuit filed by Song’s parents, Mike and Kristin Song, claims that Markle “unsafely stored and/or kept a loaded gun on the premises when he knew or should have known that a minor was likely to gain access to the gun without the permission of his parent.”

The Song family is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. on the steps of the First Congregational Church. State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-98) will attend. Song encouraged all residents to come out and attend the press conference.