Teen accused in accidental shooting calls victim ‘my best friend'

PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A 19-year-old Penn Township man was charged with the accidental shooting of his 18-year-old friend Tuesday afternoon.

Police said Colton Cline and Tyler Fetter were hanging out at Cline’s Lux Road home just after noon when Cline fired one shot.

According to the criminal complaint, Cline reportedly told police he and Fetter were “goofing around” when Fetter threatened to beat him up. In response, Cline reportedly pulled out a shotgun, prompting Fetter to ask, “Am I supposed to be scared?” Cline told police the gun went off as he was moving the gun away from Fetter.

“It was entirely an accident. Tyler is my best friend. I wouldn’t hurt anyone I hate, let alone my best friend,” Cline told only Channel 11’s Brittny McGraw on Wednesday.

Investigators said Fetter was shot once with a shotgun in the arm and chest area.

"This incident was, in our opinion, a reckless act in which an individual ended up in surgery with multiple charges," said Penn Township Police Chief John Otto.

Channel 11’s Gordon Loesch reported that Fetter was taken to Forbes Regional Hospital and is in stable condition.

“I don’t want anyone to be concerned with what’s happening to me. I want you guys to pray for him and help him get through this,” Cline said.

A relative told Channel 11’s Pamela Osborne that Fetter is doing OK after surgery despite suffering injuries to his arm and some internal organs.

Cline was charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, police said.

Penn Township police Chief John Otto said situations like this can be avoided with proper gun safety.

“Even if we visually inspect it, and physically inspect it, and we know the firearm isn’t loaded, we would never handle this weapon in a way that’s unsafe,” Otto said.

WPXI