NY teen who accidentally shot and killed friend sentenced to prison

May 2024 · 3 minute read

A 17-year-old who accidentally shot and killed his best friend has been sentenced to between two to six years in prison for manslaughter. 

Dwight Murray was tinkering with the gun he and 18-year-old Niko Santana had bought in 'poor working condition' when it suddenly went off on February 7, 2018, in Syracuse, New York. 

The bullet struck Santana in the chest, killing him. 

During an emotional hearing on Monday, Murray told the court: 'I loved Niko. That was my best friend. I'd be with him every day. I would never do anything to hurt him. I think about him every day.' 

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Dwight Murray, 17, was sentenced to two to six years in prison on Monday for accidentally shooting his best friend in the chest on February 7, 2018, in Syracuse, New York

Dwight Murray, 17, was sentenced to two to six years in prison on Monday for accidentally shooting his best friend in the chest on February 7, 2018, in Syracuse, New York

Murray was tinkering with the gun he and 18-year-old Niko Santana (above) had bought in  when it suddenly went off. The bullet struck Santana in the chest, killing him

Murray was tinkering with the gun he and 18-year-old Niko Santana (above) had bought in  when it suddenly went off. The bullet struck Santana in the chest, killing him

Santana's mother held an urn with her son's ashes as she addressed the judge.  

'It was so loud. I was sitting on the couch with my two grandsons,' she said. 

'It took a couple seconds, then my son came out holding his chest. The last words my son said to me was "Mom, call 911. I'm shot".'  

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The grieving mother said that while she still loves Murray, she believes he should be punished for killing her son.  

'I will never see his beautiful face or smile or hear his voice. I will never hear him say: "Mom, I'm hungry. Go make me a plate."

'I bring my son here for two reasons. Not for negativity, but no matter what, Niko and Dwight were inseparable and Niko should be here next to Dwight. The second, so everybody can see my everyday reality.'

Santana's mother brought an urn with her son's ashes to Murray's sentencing hearing on Monday. She told the court: 'I will never see his beautiful face or smile or hear his voice'

Santana's mother brought an urn with her son's ashes to Murray's sentencing hearing on Monday. She told the court: 'I will never see his beautiful face or smile or hear his voice'

Murray broke down in tears as his best friend's mother addressed the judge on Monday

Murray broke down in tears as his best friend's mother addressed the judge on Monday

Video from CNY shows Murray breaking down in tears as he listens to the mother's statement.  

Judge James Doran called the magnitude of the offense 'almost incomprehensible'. 

'There’s very little that I could think of that could be worse than this. For everyone involved,' he said.  

Murray was denied youthful offender status because of his 'prior history in the criminal justice system'. 

His lawyer had said the teens bought the gun to protect themselves from gang members who were pressuring them to join.   

Murray was denied youthful offender status because of his 'prior history in the criminal justice system'. He is pictured above in his mugshot 

Murray was denied youthful offender status because of his 'prior history in the criminal justice system'. He is pictured above in his mugshot 

The home where the shooting occurred early last year is seen above in local news coverage

The home where the shooting occurred early last year is seen above in local news coverage

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