Newly released documents and surveillance video raise questions of who is responsible after a teen was shot in the back while returning home from church camp with his youth group.
Back in March, police say Carlos Travieso, a 14-year-old girl and others were returning to Tempe from church campwhen the group stopped at a gas station near Beeline Highway and Aero Drive in Payson.
According to a newly released Payson police report, the youth group leader left his loaded handgun wedged in between the passenger seat and the center console. Surveillance video shows the truck pulling up to the gas pump on March 17. The group leader walks into the convenience store, and less than a minute later, the truck door opens, with the teen girl running to flag down the group leader.
According to the report, the girl didn't realize the gun was loaded and shot Travieso in the back. Travieso, who was in the passenger seat, told police the girl asked to see the gun. Travieso told officers he took out the 'clip' but forgot about the bullet in the chamber and handed the gun to the girl. Moments later, the gun went off.
According to the Payson police report, it is 'likely' that Travieso will be permanently paralyzed from the waist down.
In the report, police call the youth group leader 'reckless' in the manner in which he stored the gun. However, police forwarded their report to the Gila County Attorney's Office to review the case, including the involvement of the group leader, the girl, and Travieso.
