Harnett teen says he shot 15-year-old friend by accident

Deputies received a report of a shooting shortly before 1 a.m. at 2091 N.C. Highway 27 and were headed there when they were flagged down by several people who had been administering CPR in the back of a truck to 15-year-old Owen Caltagirone. The people were taking the teen from the shooting site to Central Harnett Hospital when they stopped for the assistance of deputies and paramedics.

Caltagirone was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriff Wayne Coats said he had been shot in the chest with a shotgun.

Caltagirone and the 16-year-old, whose name hasn't been released, were in a one-room building behind the N.C. 27 home, where Caltagirone's parents and grandparents live, Coats said. Deputies have found "several weapons" in the building, he said.

No charges have been filed, but the shooting remains under investigation. The 16-year-old is cooperating with authorities, Coats said.

"He's taken responsibility, but still, we want to rule out everything that we can," he said. "I'll be talking with the DA later on as far as what charges, if any."

No evidence has been found to indicate alcohol or drugs were involved in the shooting, he said.

Caltagirone was a student at Star Academy, a Lillington school for students who have difficulty with tradition high school. Grief counselors were at the school Monday.