The moments changed in a tenth of a second. >> This is 20-year-old Aaron Steel. If ignorance was a weapon, she wouldn't even need the gun. >> Because I thought someone like threw a firecracker by the like in the back. I thought Justin did it. It was It was just like within 2 seconds. I went like this. I heard boom. I like >> And this is Joshua Henry, self-defense expert who apparently forgot that sometimes the biggest threat is the person holding the gun. >> Didn't see what happened in there. >> No, I just melted. It was I I thought they were kidding. >> Okay. >> At that moment, I realized it was a gunshot. >> What was I What else was I supposed to do? This What's going on? What's going on? Call the cops. Call the cops. Please call the cops. He's dead. He's going to die. Call the cops. Call the ambulance. >> Please like hurry the [ __ ] up. My friend's dying. Like please get here. Please get here. And then Like I I tried to give him CPR and I could tell like there was blood in his lungs cuz I tried to blow into his lungs and I could tell like it was a like gurgling and I was like [ __ ] something's something's really bad. Like I feel horrible about this. >> And there are two more faces in this mix. At some point, you'll realize this group of people couldn't be trusted with a Jenga tower, let alone a loaded gun. On May 15th, 2022, police were called to a small apartment in Springfield. The report said a 21-year-old named Justin Miller had been shot. Now, let me introduce you to the five people inside the apartment, three girls and two guys. One of those guys would end up in the hospital and one of those three girls actually pulled the trigger. But if you were in that room just watching them, you'd never guess who pulled the trigger. >> Have a seat on the other side please. You got an ID on you or can you get that out please? That's good. I'll leave you my card. Um any questions in the morning, please give me a call. >> Okay. >> I don't know how that girl's going to go back to her apartment tonight, man. >> Um, well, she's on her way back. It's Henry, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And uh what kind of work do you do? >> I work at Domino's Pizza. >> Domino's, okay. >> Everybody's back there. Everybody's back at the house right now. >> Who's taking Andrea home? >> Did she Did she >> Me and my boyfriend. >> Oh, you drove her? >> Yeah, she lives all the way in Fort Lauderdale. >> I don't know. I thought she said she had a ride home. >> Oh, we're not sure. >> Because one of the officers was taking her and she said that she had a ride, so >> Maybe one of them are going to pick her >> We could have even given her a ride. Oh, but we'll see. You have any ID or anything on you or no? >> No. >> Okay. >> I know my driver's license is in my bag. >> All right, hold on, hold on one sec with that, Aaron. Aaron Steel. >> Yeah. >> Okay, and your date of birth, Aaron? >> 3 15 93 >> 15 93 >> scared. What's happening? >> How old are you? I'll explain everything in a sec to you. >> 20 >> Okay, 20 years of age. You work at >> Me, I was until I broke my arm. I got >> I see that. What were you doing? >> I was in school for hair dressing and I just graduated and I was about to take state board. >> Okay. >> But I'm not allowed to take state board until I get cleared from my doctors. >> Okay. So that and how long is that going to be? >> Um, I'm supposed to be cleared for medical work in like 3 weeks and then it's 5 weeks of light work. >> Okay. I hope it heals quicker than what it should. Do you have any uh any idea on you or anything like that at this point? Still working at Domino's, I take it? >> Yeah. >> Okay. name? >> Madison. >> Madison. How do you spell I? >> M A D I S O N. >> Last name? >> Flint Valentine. >> F L I N T? >> Yes. >> Okay, what's your date of birth? >> February 7th, 1992. >> 82? >> 92. >> 92. How old does that make you? >> 21. >> Are you working? >> No, I'm full-time school. I'm about to graduate with a B.S. and B.A. in biology. >> Okay, and what school? >> FAU. >> Okay, FAU. Okay. The address 21445, that's where we were today. Okay, that's your place? Are Are you renting it or >> It's my apartment. I pay for it monthly. >> Wait, what do you mean you purchased it? >> Yeah, I pay it >> Okay, so it's not you Somebody else doesn't own it. You own it. >> I pay a thousand a month for >> A thousand a month, okay. And are you the only roommate? Okay, so it's just your place. Nobody else lives with you. Okay. Real quick. I'm Detective Claire. I'll give you my card. And you are >> I'm Andrea Davis. >> Your birth >> April 20th 1992. >> 91? >> Two. >> That make you 21? Or 22? >> Huh? >> 21? >> Yeah. All right, I was just saying that makes you >> That's all right. That's all right. All right, what um What's your address? >> I just moved. I found it on my phone. I just moved like four days ago. Palm Aire to Palm Aire Cypress Grove Palm Aire. >> Palm Aire, what is that? Is that What What city? >> It's in Pompano Beach. It's in my phone. I just moved like four days >> And what's your phone number? >> 954 >> Mhm? >> Mhm. >> I just want my phone, too. I'm sorry. It's in my purse. >> You want to take a look? You can You can pull your phone out. It's okay. Go ahead. >> All right. Hold on. >> All right. Are you a student? Or >> I just got I'm working. >> Oh, you're working? Where do you work? >> Carrabba's. >> Carrabba's? >> Mhm. >> And what what city? >> Palm Harbor Beach, Florida. >> The only person who reacts in a way that feels human is Madison, the homeowner. Her reaction may not be purely noble. It's kind of self-centered. Almost like she's afraid of what the shooting means for but it's is absolutely natural. >> All right, Erin. Um I talked to you briefly at the apartment and I asked you to come back and you agreed to come back and you know you're not in handcuffs, you're not under arrest. Okay, you understand that? Okay. But we need to know what happened today. Are you willing to tell me tell me exactly what happened? Okay, can you start by >> Say I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. >> I actually I wasn't going to do that but raise your right hand. If everything you're about to tell me in this statement is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Okay, can you tell me about when you got up this morning? What did you do? >> Um let's see. I got up this morning and Olivia brought the baby to my house. >> Mhm. >> And I was watching the baby. >> Okay. >> And then >> Who's Olivia? >> Justin's sister. >> Okay. >> And I watched her son all day and we went to Carrabba's. And then we went back to her house and I was just there and then me everything was fine and I left to go get Andrea from work. >> Okay. Okay. You got up this morning. What did you do? >> I got up this morning and I didn't work at 10:30. >> Okay. Carrabba's? >> Yeah. >> You were at Crowthers from 10:30 to 1:00. >> Till like 6:00. >> Okay. >> And then I waited my friend Erin >> Mhm. >> pick me up. >> Okay. And what time was that when you when she picked you up? >> Yeah, like 6:40 in the morning. I got off at 6:00 and I waited for like for 40 minutes to an hour. I don't know, 6:00 to 7:00. >> Did she pick you up at the Pompano Crowthers? And what vehicle was she driving? >> It was like a black uh white tinted vehicle. I don't know exactly what vehicle it is. >> was in the car? >> That's it. >> Okay. And where did you go? >> After that we went Well, first you were supposed to take me home to change, but we didn't even go to my house cuz there wasn't time to. We went to her friend's house. >> And And is that where we were tonight? Okay. >> I forgot her name. Brittany? I can't remember her name cuz Maddie. There you go. >> Okay. Okay. >> were together. Just hanging out for a little and then we called Josh cuz we wanted him Andre wanted to go to the casino so I called Josh and I was like, "Oh, do you want to meet us at the casino?" And he was like, "No, I'm at your wife's house." And I was like, "You're at Maddie's? All right, we're coming in right now." >> Okay. >> So then we went to Maddie's and we got there and Maddie and Josh were just hanging out and Josh was teaching Maddie some defense moves and what to do if somebody charges her and and how to defend herself and everything was fine and Maddie was like cocking and pulling the trigger on the gun and everything was fine. She like pointed it at my face and pulled it like three times and nothing happened. Everything was okay. >> Mhm. >> Everything was okay until it suddenly wasn't. And once you ask why they even had a gun, you start realizing something was never okay to begin with. >> Why do you have the concealed? >> Uh I mean, just virtually for my own protection and you know, I I do like I'm a manager, so I do leave with large amounts of money at night time. >> Okay. >> You know, I take it to the bank and I just feel like it's a little safer, but >> How long have you had a conceal? >> I think since I think I applied like February, maybe It's been like four or five months, six months it has been so far. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Hey, Joshua, you get up uh Do you know how to >> Like am I am I going to have a ride back to the residence where my vehicle is? >> Yeah. Yeah, as a matter of fact, the officer just walked in. I think he was coming over this way. She's going to take you right out of here and drive you right back. >> What about the stuff that was in the other guy's car? I left my cell phone, my keys, my cigarettes. >> They what what car? >> One of the other gentleman's car, the one who drove me here. He told me to leave my stuff in his car. >> We'll We'll make sure we Remind me when we're done and we're walking out about getting your stuff and I'll make sure you get your stuff. That's not a problem. >> Okay. >> Okay, let's start um you get up this morning, what do you do? >> Uh This morning I wake up, I have my boss call on my phone asking me "Hey man, do you want to come to work?" And I'm like, you know, kind of like, "No, not really." I guess one of the employees, the other manager who was supposed to close the store tonight, couldn't come in. He was sick. >> Mhm. >> And it was just like a dry It was headache, you know, giving me a little bit of a headache. I was like, "Listen, it's my day off. I don't want to deal with this, you know. Find someone else or fire the kid that doesn't come in. Like he he shouldn't have a job if he keeps calling out sick every day." Me and him kind of got into it, you know, and he's like, "Listen, just forget it. I'll I'll figure out what I can do." I'm like, "All right." So, I'm just hanging out at home, you know, had dinner with my mom and dad. Uh the the girl who's the residence owner of the house, Maddie Maddie, uh me and her were talking. She She was up in Stuart earlier this afternoon with her family for I guess the holidays and stuff and she said, "Hey, when I get home, you want to come over and drink some beer, you know, hang out?" I was like, "Yeah, sure, you know." I got um I met her probably like 3 to 4 weeks ago through the girl Erin who I was also with earlier. >> Mhm. >> Um Me and her, you know, kind of just like seemed to, you know, click and be friends. So, she was like, "Hey, come over, you know, we'll drink some beer, we'll hang out, you know, watch TV, whatever." Cuz she just got back. I was like, "Okay, it's my day off. Like, let's let's hang out, you know." And then everything was fine. I went to her house for about from about saying like Well, maybe like I I don't know. I could tell you if I had my phone. It was probably from like anywhere between 5:45 and 6:30 that I got to her house around there. >> Okay. All right. Go ahead. >> We're just hanging out, you know, everything was cool. I went and got some beer for us on the way to her house. Um I got cigarettes for me and her. >> See, what Joshua wasn't saying yet was that along with the beer and the cigarettes, he was also bringing something else. A loaded gun. And Madison is about to tell us exactly how that gun entered the picture. >> Okay. Um let's start by what happened >> earlier in the day, like when you first got up. Tell me what happened when you got up this morning. >> When I got up this morning, I wasn't Stuart. I was at home for Thanksgiving. >> Oh, you went home for Thanksgiving. Okay, so you weren't Stuart, okay. >> I was doing graduate school applications. >> Mhm. >> And I just turned in my Scripps application >> Mhm. >> today. It was a deadline. >> Mhm. >> And uh I ate Flying Saucers with my mom. And we rode two >> Mhm. >> It was a light lunch and then we went um she drove me back to my car and I went home. >> Okay. >> And I got home around 6:00. And Josh and I had been planning to hang out. He's been my friend for a little bit and Erin's been my friend for a quite some time now. >> Okay. And Josh and Erin, Josh is the boy that I just saw. Okay. And Erin is uh the girl also, they came in Okay. So, go ahead. >> Um and Josh came over first, and then Aaron came over. >> Mhm. >> And he brought Stella over. We were drinking some Stella. >> Mhm. >> And he had his gun, and he was showing me cuz we were going to go to shooting. It was completely unloaded. There was no clip in. >> Okay. >> He was showing me how to do this, and I even have a blister from trying to do it. >> He was doing what? I mean, I'm sorry. Did he show you how to >> me how to pull it out. >> Oh, rack it back and okay. >> not loaded whatsoever. >> So, there's no clip or anything in it. Okay. >> And Aaron and and and Justin weren't there when this was happening. >> Okay. Aaron and Justin weren't there. Okay. >> And um Aaron came over, and Justin was with him. Um Justin came before Aaron. >> Mhm. >> And then Aaron came with I don't know her name, but I just met her tonight. >> Mhm. And then Aaron came after? >> Yes. >> And she came with that other girl? >> Dark hair, okay. >> Yes, I don't remember her name. >> Okay. All right. >> She was tall. >> Mhm. >> Sorry. >> It's okay. It's all right. >> I've never been involved with the police. I'm really scared. It's my house. >> Mhm. >> The idea of hosting a self-defense demo in the middle of a casual hangout is just plain absurd. You don't mix adrenaline drills with alcohol and expect peace. >> Now, you said you were um you picked up Andrea today. >> Yeah, at >> You picked her up at work? >> Yeah, at Corralitos. >> And what did you pick her up in? >> My dad's car. >> And what is that? >> A Ford Fusion. >> Okay. Black? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Black. Okay. And then I heard that you said that you were thinking about going out to the casino. >> Well, we went out that >> And who are you going to meet out there? >> Well, me and aunt Andrea were together and we were going to meet Josh, but Josh was like, "Oh, I don't want to go to the casino tonight cuz I went last night and won a bunch of money and I don't want to >> Okay. >> jinx myself." >> Okay. >> So then we were like, "Oh, okay." So then we were just debating what to do and we were like, "Okay, so we'll go to Maddie's." And then I called my boyfriend and I was like, "Oh, can you go to Maddie's?" And he was like, "Yeah, sure." And he drove there and met me there. >> And he met you there. Okay. >> was fine. So that was five of you then at Maddie's. Yeah, we were everything was fine. We were all getting along. We were all hugging. The boys were about to go get food. >> Mhm. >> And then >> Now when when you get there, who's there? >> Just Josh and Maddie. >> Okay. Just Josh and Maddie are there. >> Yeah. >> And you get there first or does Justin or >> Justin Oh, no, Justin was there. >> Oh, Justin got there. >> Yeah, okay. When we we pulled up and I Maddie walked outside When we were walking up, Maddie walked outside of her back door and I was like, "Wifey." She was like, "Hey, babe." And then we went in the front door and Josh and Justin were sitting inside. >> Okay, so Josh and Justin were inside. >> Yeah, Justin and I'm guessing had just gotten there. >> Okay. >> Next thing you know, we're just hanging out. The girl Erin calls me. She's like, "Hey, what are you doing?" I'm going to the casino. I was like, "No, you know, I don't want to go to the casino. I was just there last night. You know, I you know, I won money." I was like, "I'm not going to go back and waste it all." And she's like, "Okay, you know, fair enough. Fair enough." And her phone disconnected. And then I called her back or she actually called me back and said, "Hey, you know, why'd you hang up?" I was like, "Oh, the phone something happened." I was like, "So, you know, I'm with Maddie." And she's like, "Oh, okay. I'm going to come over." Whatever. And I was like, "All right." I was like, "Where are you?" She was like, "Go on that World of Beer. I'll be there soon. So, okay. Next thing you know, me and Maddie are hanging out. I just went me and her actually went to the Shell on I think it's it's a Shell right around Military and Verde Trail by her house. There's a Shell gas station over there somewhere. I think it's on I think it's on St. Andrew's or something like that. >> Coming around the corner. It's right there. >> yeah, exactly. We went there. We got a pack of We went there actually to get beer. They didn't have beer. So, I went to the BP on Glades next to the mall. >> Mhm. >> Got another 12-pack of beer. Me and her went back to her house. >> Okay. >> Everything, you know, was normal. We were just hanging out. I just opened the 12-pack. Actually, no, I didn't even open the 12-pack yet. Aaron Aaron's boyfriend who was the victim that got shot tonight was I don't know if they're the boyfriend or girlfriend, but they were at one point and I think they were kind of like trying to get back together and work things out. >> Mhm. >> And he showed up first. He's like, "Hey, man, Aaron should be on her way soon." I was like, "All right, you know, here here have a beer." Me and him had a beer. Next thing you know, Aaron came there with her friend. Uh >> Mhm. >> Uh [ __ ] what's her name? Alyssa or something like that. And uh >> Alyssa. Uh Andrea. >> Andrea, yeah, Andrea. She came there with Andrea and everything was cool, you know, we were hanging out, blah blah blah. I was just, you know, like I had my gun on me. Obviously, you know, like whatever. And I was I was actually showing Maddie how to to like physically hold the firearm and not be scared because she said, "I've never, you know, shot a gun before. Can you teach me how?" I was showing her how, you know, to release the slide, how to properly hold the firearm and not get your hand caught in the slide, you know, this and that. Just, you know, the basic stuff. And I guess when I was in the middle of doing that, Aaron walked in the door and seen and kind of was like a little interested, but, you know, didn't really say too much. She was like, "Okay, you know, whatever." You know, she knew I had the gun. And every time I was talking to Maddie, I was like, "Maddie, you know, like I'm not going to hand you it if it's loaded. I promise it'll be unloaded. Just be careful. And even if it's not loaded, still treat it like a a firearm that didn't have a gun in it because you don't you never know what can happen. And so >> I was just inside. I don't remember who I was talking to. But all I heard was Justin go, "You shot me." >> Okay. Now, you said that you're there and um Josh is there It's Josh's Josh's gun, correct? And Josh brought the gun over. Okay. And he he took a clip out and took the round out of the chamber or whatever it was and he's he's showing you >> I knew. >> Okay. And and you're when you were racking it, were you also pulling the trigger? >> No, no, no, no. I had my finger up on the top like this, but there was no clip in it and I didn't I was not near it when >> Okay. But you were you were racking it, though? Okay. And then after that happened, okay, what Is this prior to them showing up? >> This is No, uh Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> So, this is prior to Justin and Aaron and that other girl coming over. >> You think someone bleeding would sober them up? Instead, they're super chill and casual about talking about a gun. This video shows a desperate escape attempt by a criminal who had successfully concealed a weapon, which he then turns on police while still under arrest. You can watch it right now, plus many more Patreon exclusive videos for as little as $2 a month at patreon.com/strangerstoriesplus. >> Prior to going out and smoking a cigarette, >> Okay. >> everybody was in the apartment? All five of you? >> Yeah, all of us. >> You remember seeing the gun? >> Yeah. It was unloaded and Maddie and Josh were messing around by accident on the unloaded gun and Josh was teaching Maddie how to protect yourself just in case anything happened with an unloaded gun like they were practicing with the unloaded gun. >> How do you know it was unloaded? >> Because I saw her load it and then unload it like practicing. >> You what do you mean? Like when you when you say I saw her loading >> Like push it back. >> Okay, so you're pulling back the slide? >> And then click. >> And then she was clicking it? >> Mhm. >> Okay, nothing was going off? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Um and you saw her doing that a couple times? >> Oh yeah. >> And who was that? Aaron or Maddie? >> Maddie. >> Okay, Maddie was doing that? What about um Josh? Was he doing it? >> He was teaching Maddie how to do it unloaded. >> And what about um um Aaron? Was Aaron also doing that? >> No. >> Okay. >> She was just like Maddie She was like teaching Maddie like, "Yeah, Maddie, you're not doing it right. You're doing You should do it like this. Like do it like that." >> Okay. So, but did you see you saw Aaron actually doing it also, pulling the slide back and firing the weapon or >> Yeah, the unloaded weapon. >> The unloaded. Okay. Now So I didn't even know that it was loaded. So everyone knew it was unloaded then? At some point with >> Yes, because everyone clicked it and obviously it wasn't loaded. >> So then you go outside? >> I mean not maybe not right after. At some point I was outside and that's when I heard the boom or else I was not inside when I heard the boom. I didn't see anybody shoot anybody. >> When you think >> Or even playfully or any type of sort of violence. >> You remember seeing it get loaded? >> No. >> So you don't know who loaded it or anything like that? What did you hear? >> I heard a boom. >> Now did you hear somebody load it? >> Loaded gun? It like the same click into an I gun sounds just like I don't know. I just heard a lot of clicks. There was a lot of clicks all throughout the night with an unloaded gun. Click while we're playing. Click. >> So, then um is it at that point that um the gun is being fired by Maddie and >> Well, Maddie and Justin went outside. >> Mhm. >> Like when I got there, I was like, "Oh, hey, babe." Give him a kiss. He's like, "I'm going to just go smoke a cigarette." I was like, "Okay, that's fine." He went outside and then Andrea went outside to smoke a cigarette. And I was in the kitchen cutting lemons and just hanging out. And Josh was showing Maddie like Maddie had the gun on her side and Josh was like, "Okay, so this is what you do when someone rushes you." Showing her. And then Maddie was like Josh was like, "No, no, no. You're you're too late. If someone was to bum rush you, you would have already been dead." >> Mhm. >> So, Maddie moved the gun to her hip and everything was fine and Josh was showing her. Everything was fine. And then then when they were playing with the gun and Josh was showing her how to We went outside. And everyone Everyone was looking at it and that's where me and Maddie That's where Maddie pointed at me and pulled it and everything was fine. And then we went inside. And Maddie And Maddie was like, "Okay, I'm done playing with it." And I was like, "I'm done, too." And we just set it down. >> Mhm. >> And then I went into the kitchen and went to get something out of the fridge. And I'm guessing while I was in the kitchen, Josh had loaded it. I didn't even see >> Did you >> ever. Never even seen them. >> Did you see it >> unloaded >> being unloaded, though? >> No. But I seen >> How do you know it was unloaded while you guys were playing with it? >> Because if you look at the bottom of yours, there's There was a hole in it. >> Okay. >> I could have put my hand in the where the the handle was. >> Okay. >> I could have put my hand in there. >> Okay. >> And when I picked it up, I didn't even I didn't even see the underneath. I just seen it sideways. I didn't even look at the bottom. My arm was blocked. And it just happened so fast. I just picked it up and we were all playing. >> Okay. >> And before And I didn't even pull the trigger that hard. I feel like it was more sensitive when it was loaded than it was unloaded. >> Okay. But we're going to we'll get to that point, but it was you you had said that while you and Maddie were were shooting it originally, you knew it was unloaded because of >> it was Well, she the way Maddie was holding it in her pocket when I She like picked it up in the air when she her and Josh was Josh was like bum-rushing her and she had it in her pocket. >> Mhm. >> So when she And she like flung her hands up to pull it out of him and it went up in the air and got caught in her jacket and I could see up up the [ __ ] handle that it was empty. And I I could see it. >> Did anybody tell you though that it was unloaded at that point? >> I'm pretty sure sure Maddie was like, "There's nothing in it." because when she was cocking it back, it would stay cocked back. >> Okay. All right. >> It like when you like when you [ __ ] it back, it would stay back and she would She would pull it and it would go forward and nothing would happen. It just It didn't even make a bang. It just make a little clicking noise and the thing would move forward. >> Okay. All right. >> She actually calls it playing. Toddlers play. Adults with firearms make choices. The word playing alone is crazy enough. Now the detectives are going to be asking who was seated at what position so they can see whose version of events is the closest to the truth. >> So and then you guys >> Well, me and Matt That's when they when they first start when I first seen them playing with the gun and that I when I first seen Maddie had it in her hand and she was like playing with it. Like, "Look at me. I'm a badass." like And then Josh was like, "Okay, so back to what back to what if you were >> I don't know if you see what I'm doing here. But I'm trying to draw in the kitchen area and then there's a table right here with a with a bench. >> Okay. >> Okay. And then this is of course another room here. This >> goes out. That goes out and That's like that. Okay, so >> Can I show the plan? >> Yeah, I'm going to give you Can you at the time that you pick up the gun, can you show me where you picked it up and where everybody was positioned at this at this point if you can remember? >> Okay, well this is the kitchen. >> Yeah, this is the kitchen. >> And there's like the TV against this wall and then we'll say that this is the couch. And then there's a table over here. >> Okay. >> And there's some chairs here and the gun was on this table and Justin Well, the couch is more back here. The couch and the table are almost parallel and Justin was sitting on the edge of the couch. And Andrea, I'm like from what I remember out of the corner of my eyes, I'm like 95% sure she was not in the >> Okay. She said she wasn't. >> I'm like almost 100% sure. Everything just happened so fast and And Justin was standing right here and I was standing right here and then Maddie was here and Josh was here and Josh I just Josh is the first one that realized what happened because I have I only shot a gun when I was little with my dad. >> Mhm. >> I didn't even know. It's I didn't realize what had happened. I thought the bang was just the normal bang that I had been making. Justin He didn't scream or nothing. >> Mhm. >> He just put his hand on his chest and was like, "Oh my god, blood, I'm shot." >> Okay. Now, where where is Josh at the at the >> Josh and I >> Yeah, just write a J for Josh. >> Well, they were like right here. Um I'm pretty sure that Maddie was sitting down and Josh was standing. >> Okay. >> But I know the boy boys were like literally getting ready to leave to go get us food. Like they were about to go to Wendy's. >> Okay, yeah I heard that from Josh. Okay. >> So Justin was standing This is a bad picture. >> Is it Did I draw it wrong? Okay. >> No, it just like this is all like all too much. >> a clutter here, I >> I know. I'm sorry. I'm I try to be a neat freak and this is very important. >> Okay. >> So, let's say this is the kitchen. >> Mhm. >> She's doodling like she's in kindergarten. It's honestly sickening to watch, especially when her boyfriend is in the hospital fighting for his life because she shot him. >> Um I'm going to show you I'm going to try to draw you a photo of um uh kind of like the apartment. >> Okay. >> I don't know if you can see this or not. Okay, here's the door. >> Yeah, the front door. >> Here's the door leading out to the patio. Here's the >> couch, and TV over here. And here is >> the counter. >> Okay. >> Does that seem right? >> I can understand. Put everybody where they were >> Okay. >> as best as you can remember um at the time of the shooting. >> I believe Maddie was here, so I'll put M for Maddie. >> Okay. >> I believe she was sitting like right here on the counter. Uh by the like the sinks here, and then there's like a the cabinets and stuff are right here. She was sitting like on that counter top. The girl um Andrea was sitting in the chair right here. Because there's two stools, she was sitting here. I originally when I placed the firearm, I would say it was like right here the gun was like right about here like cuz I was here. So, I would say I was like right here, and then there's a table right here >> Mhm. >> behind >> behind with a chair. >> Yes. >> Aaron was sitting in this chair here, the one who actually physically shot the weapon. >> Okay. >> Was sitting in this chair right here. Um I placed the gun down, the box of beer was right here on the counter. >> Mhm. >> So, I walked around the counter and opened the Actually, I didn't walk around, I reached over. But I I went like this cuz I have a bottle opener on my keychain, I opened the beer and went like this to hand the the um beer to Maddie. And as like as soon as I handed the beer to her and I like I I took mine to take a sip, I heard the bang and I was like, you know, like I I shoot my gun a lot. Like I'm I'm proficient with it, but never without earphones or earplugs, I mean. So, the the loudness like made me recognize, but at the same time second guess. And I was kind of like, you know, what the [ __ ] did you just do? Like why are you being loud in this girl's house? Until I realized like what actually happened and him saying, "Oh, I got shot." And and seeing a hole in his chest by like like it was like right here somewhere. I know how to it had to hit his lung and >> Where is he? Cuz you don't have him down. Where is he standing? >> He All right, Aaron was here, I believe. I'm here. So, this is me, this is Maddie, this is Andrea. I forgot about Justin. Okay, so I'll put my name here so you know where I was. Justin was like this. He was like Okay, so the counter's here. I'm saying Justin was right in here somewhere. >> Okay. Near in >> Yeah, like in between me and him. Like so, I'm I'm I'm saying on the corner of the bar cuz he was like here, but not like he wasn't right against the bar. He was more out a little bit between the couch and I guess I I don't know if she pointed at him to play like a joke or what she did, but >> Now, is is she pointed at him behind your back? >> Yes, I was I was She's sitting like like I'm like this facing this thing, she's behind me like sitting in the chair kind of over here. And like I could out of my peripheral kind of see her, but I didn't realize she grabbed the gun cuz like I said, I turned to hand the beer and I guess she reached >> Which was over here, right? >> Yeah. I I I guess she reached around the side of me. Either way, I don't know what she did it, but I physically don't know how she got the firearm. I didn't see her reach for it cuz I would have said, "Hey, like you know, I would have stopped her and said, 'Hey, like let me unload it if you want to hold it. I don't mind you holding my gun, but please let me make sure it's unloaded.'" And I guess because I was showing Maddie earlier in the night how to use the gun, Aaron must have thought I didn't have it loaded. >> Mhm. >> When I I didn't have it loaded, but I did have the clip in it. >> Okay. >> So, what she What I was trying to show Maddie was how to slide it back and release the slide if you had empty magazine so you can put a new a new clip in. I was trying to simulate like magazine drop, new clip, and and and slide release so it would slide forward and you have another round. But, I was doing it without the round or the magazine in in the gun at all. Like I was just doing without a magazine. I was like, you know, this is your hand movement, but not having the magazine physically in her hand. Like I had it on the table. >> Mhm. >> And I guess Aaron must have thought the magazine was still out of the gun in my pocket cuz I put it in my pocket most of the time. And then one time I set it on the table cuz me and Maddie were talking. That's when she first got there actually. Aaron wasn't even there yet, so that's really irrelevant. >> Mhm. >> But, the whole time that Aaron was there, I would like anyone, you know, I would make sure the magazine was in my pocket. >> Mhm. >> And I would, you know, I would be like, "Here, you can hold the gun. Like if if you have a question, just, you know, don't point it at someone." And >> Mhm. Mhm. And there's Maddie's little study table right here. >> Mhm. >> And then there's the couch right here. And there's the TV. >> Mhm. >> And here's the table. >> Correct. And then the door to go outside right here. >> Mhm. This is Maddie's room. >> Mhm. >> And here's the door to go outside. And this would be in the front door right here. And um I would The gun was sitting on top of the table. >> Okay. >> And it was facing the window. Like or facing the door when I when it was pointed, >> Mhm. >> it was facing the wall. So, I couldn't see the other side. >> Oh, okay. All right. >> away from me. >> Facing away from you, okay. >> just picked did and went out >> Now, when So, you you picked up with your right hand? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, you reach over, you grab it on your right hand. >> to put yours >> No. >> I was like, "No." Okay. I have Let's just I'm going to make a pretend one. I have this paper. >> Okay. >> So, let's say this is >> Mhm. >> It was just sitting like this and I walked up this way >> Okay, so you're over at where I am then. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And I just walked this way and just grabbed it and we were all messing around and I just pushed on the trigger a little bit and then I feel like it triggered so much easier that time than the rest. Like >> Okay. >> when we were doing it before, we really had to pull on it. And Maddie like really pushed my finger in when she was holding my hand when we were doing it. When she did it, she really pushed it and it like I could feel it made like a big movement. >> Okay. >> It didn't It didn't do >> you have to rack it? >> I >> or not? >> I I tried, but I don't think I pulled it back all the way. I don't because of my arm. I tried I would have pulled it with this hand. I tried to pull it back and it just moved back a little. >> Okay. >> was >> So, you put your hand on it like this. >> Like this and I moved >> And then you rack it? >> But I it didn't pull back all the way like when Maddie was playing with it. >> Okay. >> She pulled it back really when >> She pulled it really far and it locked. >> And it didn't >> But it didn't lock. >> It didn't do that. >> Okay. All right. All right. So, you pulled back >> it didn't go It probably When Maddie was pulling it back, this top part of the gun, I'd say would move back about 3 in. When I was holding it, I think I only maybe pulled it back 3/4 of an inch. >> Okay. All right. About 3/4 of an inch. Okay. All right. All right. That Just cuz that makes a little bit more sense then, you know, as far as, you know, what people have been saying and and all that. So, now where is the picture? Your picture. We're going to go with your picture. >> two >> Put put your Put your position. That's you. But there's Justin's. Okay. That's Maddie. Josh or Josh, was she standing? Or was he sitting? >> I'm not 100% sure. I just seen Right after it happened, he just was like up and in my face. >> Okay. >> So, I That's >> on the couch? >> He was sitting like Not It wasn't sitting on the couch, but he was like standing against like the side of it. >> Okay. So, he was leaning up against it or what? >> Like leaning against like the arm part. Like standing up ready like just waiting for Josh to get his stuff to go to the to go to Wendy's. >> Okay. And you said the other one, which is your friend, was probably outside at the time. >> Yeah, I'm like 97% sure she was in the other room. I'm like 97% sure that she had just gone outside to smoke a cigarette. >> Okay. All right. All right. So, rack and then pull the trigger once? >> That's it. >> Okay. >> I didn't even I I didn't even pull the thing halfway. If you're looking at the trigger, I mhm halfway and it just like bam. >> Okay. >> Bam. >> But it was only once. >> But yeah. Bang. It made a loud ass [ __ ] >> What What did you do after that? What did I mean, where did you Where did the gun go? Where does Or don't you remember? >> I think I just I sent I seen Justin grab his child I just set it down and ran at him. And I had I grabbed him and then he like ran to the door. Like I ran I was like I Everybody just flipped out. Everyone freaked out. Josh he started crying He ran to the corner started crying. He's like, "I'm going to go to jail. It's my gun. What the fuck?" >> Mhm. >> And I was like, "No, it's accident, Josh." >> Okay. >> Like, call it an accident. Maybe it was, but accidents don't mean absolute innocence. >> Now, in Maddie's explanation or uh diagram, Andrea is not here. >> No. I I I could have sworn >> when Andrea was she said she was out on the patio smoking a cigarette at the time. I don't know. >> I mean, let me let me put it because she did go out back to smoke a cigarette, but I'm trying to >> Cuz she would almost be right in the way if >> Yeah, I I don't She couldn't She couldn't have been there because to be honest with you, where Justin was, the chair where she was sitting, there's two chairs she was sitting at the closer one. So, we were all kind of in a group. And from me seeing where he got hit, like like actually physically hit in the chest, and where she was sitting, it would have had to either pass between me or pass between her, and it's a surprise, like, she didn't get shot. So, what I'm thinking is I think what happened I was in the house, and like I said, I was distracted with Maddie trying to have a conversation. I wasn't like The last thing on my mind was someone getting shot. So, I took the beers and was like this, and maybe she did go outside because when I like when I like seen Justin was shot and seen him start walking to the door and slump and hit the door and fall to the like the ground, out of the corner of my eye I seen her kind of like come behind me, but I stood up and said, "Everyone get the [ __ ] away from him." And like kind of pull pulled him away from the door so I could open the door and go outside and look for the address. And at that time, like, it was just such a jumble that after that I walked back inside because I I didn't want to leave him alone, you know? Like, I didn't want to leave him alone. I wanted to make sure he was at least breathing and [ __ ] And when I walked past the stairway to go back in the front door, he was I guess he tried to move because I opened the door and it hit him in the head. So, I kind of like like I kind of pushed him out of the way with the door, but not like enough to like, you know, hurt I didn't want to hurt the kid. He was already [ __ ] shot, you know, and I like I pushed him out of the way and I think she either snuck behind like didn't go in the house, but she was like maybe underneath the stairs where they come down hiding and I looked at her and that was it like I I where she was to be honest with you, I don't know. Maddie I know for a fact was in front of me and Aaron was behind me on that table. >> Okay. >> I I like >> almost similar to me. >> Yeah, almost similar like I like Andre was sitting in the chair at one point. But it happened so fast that I don't know if she went to go smoke a cigarette when it happened and came in, but you know, all I know is I looked and I heard the gunshot, so I turned around and I seen Aaron here like kind of in shock and then I was me and Justin were going to actually go get beer. So, I said, "Okay, what happened?" And I was like, "Justin, let's go let's go outside real quick." And I was going to say, you know, like let's let's get the [ __ ] out of here. Let's, you know, do whatever and not like not like let's leave because a gun went off, but I was going to say like everyone get outside. I don't want nothing to be here. I want to look at the house, see where the bullet went, make sure it didn't go outside and hit someone's car like I wanted to see what happened. This is my gun we're talking about here. No one else is at fault except for me like you pulled the trigger, but me being a gun owner, I'm responsible, you know, I understand I'm like I'm responsible and that's why I feel so bad because this kid is in the hospital now all because of something that's, you know, my my possession and >> So, what happens then? >> I was smoking cigarettes. >> Mhm. >> I'm not done smoking a cigarette. And I hear something really loud. And then I'm like, "What's going on?" And then you hear a whole bunch of people crying and they're inside and I don't even know them. Like I don't know most of them. I just hear Josh. He's crying saying call the cops and I'm like, "What's going on?" So, we call the cops. >> Okay. So, >> That's all I remember. >> You're You're outside smoking a cigarette. And who's out there with you? >> I don't want to confirm it. Like, anybody like I I know Josh is probably out there with me. I'm assuming. I don't know. >> Okay. Well, if you don't know, >> No, I'm not going >> Okay, good. All right. So, you you're out You're smoking and what did you say you heard something? >> Yeah. >> What did you hear? >> A boom. It [ __ ] hurt my eardrums. >> Okay. Like a gunshot? >> Yes. >> Okay. And how many did you hear? >> One. >> Just one? >> Just one. >> Okay. And what do you do? >> Scream. >> Okay. >> And then I'm asking what's going on. >> Where are you asking this? >> When I go inside, "What's going on? What happened?" >> Yeah, to see what the [ __ ] happened. >> And where was Aaron at the time? >> she was to the right near the kitchen counter. And I think Josh was right to the left of her. >> Okay. So, >> I can draw it out for you. >> Okay. If you would, please draw it out. That would be great. Here you go. >> Okay. So, I'm right here. >> Mhm. >> This is Justin. >> Mhm. >> This is the door. This is my kitchen. >> Mhm. >> I think Aaron was right here. I think Josh was right here and I think the gun was right here. >> Okay. >> And I think >> And where was the other girl? >> I don't know. I don't know, honestly. >> Okay. >> I have couch right here. >> Yes, you do. And then there's the other entrance. >> door. >> Okay. Okay. >> I think she could have been here. Or she could have been sitting at one of these chairs. >> Okay. >> I was here. >> Okay. >> And all I heard was just Aaron screaming, like, "Oh my god." And I saw I didn't I didn't even hear it. I just felt it. And it was right next to him. And I looked over and I didn't know what to do. >> Yeah. >> Oops. >> What's strange is this. Madison, the girl with no real connection to Justin, is the one crying. Meanwhile, Erin, the girlfriend, the one who actually shot him, is dry-eyed and detached. Everything you've seen so far is the prelude. Weird enough on its own, but the next few minutes are going to describe the accident. >> Okay. >> The next thing I know, I I took my gun out of my waistband for a few minutes. I set it on the counter right next to me where the beer was. I grabbed a beer for me and Maddie. I opened them. The next thing you know, I handed her the beer like this. I heard the bang. I went like this and turned around cuz at first it kind of like caught me off guard like she maybe like what it sounded like was she lit a firework in the house or she like like opened a bottle or something, but it was loud. And I was like, "Oh [ __ ] like what was that?" So my initial reaction was to turn around. >> Mhm. >> And I seen her and she like I I don't remember seeing the gun in her hand. I don't know if she dropped it and got scared or what happened, but I heard the bang and I turned like this and I started to say, "What the [ __ ] was that?" And when I said that, the dude said like this and he grabbed his chest and said, "I've been shot." And I was like like at first I was like, "You got to be [ __ ] me, right?" And then I looked and I seen like I could tell like there was a little blood here. And he just started going like getting all dizzy and he hit the the the front door of the house and slumped down and then and from there on I was just like, you know, call 911, [ __ ] let's do something. I tried to do, you know, I tried to do everything I could. I tried to like pick him up and say, "Hey man, like you know, there's blood on my hands and my arms and my clothes and shit." I tried to give him, you know, CPR and like it scared me because I was looking at him and his eyes were rolling back in his head and he was bleeding from his mouth. I was like, "Yeah, I can't I can't give CPR mouth-to-mouth because he's bleeding, you know, I don't like I can't like try to put my mouth on his mouth when there's blood. I don't know if he has anything, you know, like I was trying to protect myself. So, I just like I gave Maddie the phone >> Okay. >> when I called 911 to be able to give them her address cuz I didn't know it. She took my phone and I guess went down the street to a neighbor's house and I like I I tried to give him CPR and I could tell like there was blood in his lungs cuz I tried to blow into his lungs and I could tell like it was all like gurgling and I was like, "Fuck, something's something's really bad." Like I could see his eyes rolling back and I was just trying to like give him CPR. And I said, "Well, this isn't working, you know, like I could feel a pulse, but it's very little." And I said to like I have to get on the phone with 911 and see what they I was like, "Please like hurry the [ __ ] up, my friend's dying. Like please get here. Please get here." And then the lady's like, "Calm down. I need to ask you, you know, is the gun in a secure position?" I said, "Yes, I went in the house and made sure it was on the counter unloaded for the you know, the officer that got there to be safe." And like the last thing I remember is looking at his face and seeing blood come out of his mouth and then running outside and seeing a officer with the lights on. And I ran out and like flagged him down and I said like, "Please, help my friend. Please like you know From then on, it's just a blur, man. >> Okay. >> And I Maddie was like, "Oh, here, you have a broken arm, so I'll hold it with you." Cuz my arm's hurting. So, she held it with me and we she was like, "See, it's fun." And I pulled the trigger and nothing got happened. And then I just we were done playing with it and I set the gun down and Josh picked it up and moved it and I turned around I was cutting lemons. And I was eating the lemons and I turned around and thought everything was okay and I just pulled it picked it up playing with it and pointed at Justin playing like everyone was playing with me and I pulled it and this big bang went and then he grabbed his chest. He was like, "I'm bleeding. I'm shot." And I ran and grabbed him so fast and then he just ran to the door and he fell and everybody started freaking out. >> All right. >> Now, you said you were you picked up Andrea today. >> Yeah, I picked her up at work. Yeah, I drove her home. >> And what did you pick her up in? >> My dad's car. >> Instantly her voice levels out like flipping off a switch. There seems to be no malice here. It is probably just immaturity. Aaron clearly seems to be somebody with the emotional IQ of a soap bubble. >> The last thing I remember about the direction >> Yeah, like it had to have been because I was here and I heard the bang. So, I kind of backed up a little bit and at that time he was walking towards her. I I I don't know why he was walking towards her, but he I guess he kind of was in shock and didn't realize he got shot because he just like it was fine. It was just a loud bang. He looked around like he was fine. Like he was just looking around looking around and then all of a sudden it would it just went from him being aware of the situation like I was to try to figure out what happened to He's like, "Oh, [ __ ] I got shot." And I was like, "Yeah, right, bro. I was like, are you kidding me?" And I was looking and looking and he went like this and pulled his jacket and I seen the hole and I was like, "That like right there just turned me into a different kind of type of mode." Like I pushed Aaron out of the way. I said, "Aaron, get the [ __ ] out of the way." I was like, "Call 911. You got to call an ambulance like right now." I tried to like make him like I I kind of tried to like say, "Hey, Justin." But it was just such a fast thing that I think from him realizing he got shot he got he got into a like a like shock. He went into shock, I think. And >> According to Maddie Maddie puts herself right here. >> Yeah. >> Puts Josh closer to Justin or Justin or Justin. >> Puts you and puts Yes. Me and All right. Well, >> think in the gun here, do you think that she grabbed the gun and shot in front of you? >> It had to have been behind me because, to be honest with you, the way that I was positioned, like she was kind of here and Justin was kind of here. So, >> Okay. >> which kind of makes me wonder how, if I was in between both of them, I wasn't the one to get shot. Like that's what I was just thinking the whole time, how did I not get hit with this bullet? And like Maddie said, yeah, I I I really do like I I want to see her drawing and depict it because her point of view maybe was a little better because, like I said, she was actually physically facing Aaron and could see what was happening. Like all I know is I took my gun like this and set it on the counter. And it was like right within from here to here's vicinity of me cuz I you know, I wanted to make sure I could still keep it in my eyes' reach. But that split second that I I reached over it to take my attention towards Maddie and finish the conversation I was having with her, >> Yeah. >> it was it was just like within 2 seconds. I went like this, I heard boom. I Like I put my beer down and I looked cuz I thought someone like threw a firecracker by the like in the back I thought Justin did it. To be honest with you, I thought he threw like a firecracker or something in the door of the house cuz it was an echo. And then I looked like I looked like this and he was okay. So, then I looked like this at Aaron and her eyes kind of like something wasn't right. And I said, "Oh shit." And then it it hit on me because Maddie said, "Aaron, did the gun go off?" And at that moment I realized it was a gunshot. So, I instantly tried to find the gun. I I cleared the weapon and I said I said, "Aaron, what happened?" I was like, "Did you know, like I was trying like at first, like I said, I thought the gun just physically had a discharge, but didn't hit anyone. I didn't think he got shot. So, my first reaction was to take the gun, put it down, and figure out where the bullet hole went so I could explain to Maddie, "Hey, I'm sorry. Let's call the cops, you know, if we whatever we need to do." And then as soon as I heard him say I got shot and I seen it, >> Mhm. >> my mind switched into survival mode and I was like, you know, listen, we got to get this kid to the hospital, call the police, do what we got to do from there. Um her like her picture could have been right, but I don't think that she shot in front I mean if she if she if she shot in front of me, I don't know how I didn't get hit. I think it happened behind me because I think Aaron took the gun and tried to like cuz I kept saying, "Aaron, don't take my gun unless, you know, you let me know." It's a gun. Like don't [ __ ] around with it. She's like, "Okay, okay." And I think she, you know, was just like trying to play around but didn't really mean to shoot him. I don't think she knew it was loaded or not loaded, but I didn't think she knew it had the magazine and she tried to do what I showed Maddie how to slide it back or release it. And when she did that, she didn't think there was any bullets in it and pulled the trigger. And that's what happened. And it And it shot him. That's That's my determination. Like I I I like I I was facing the opposite way, but >> How's a man teaching self-defense but skipping gun safety? If you don't know how to keep from shooting yourself, maybe the threat you need protection from is you. >> So then they come over and what happens? >> And we're just okay. We're chilling. We're just drinking soda and we're just hanging out. And I guess Josh put the clip back in and put it on the table and I guess Aaron, she came up to me after I heard it. I smelled it. I didn't see anything happen. I just smelled it. >> in the room. >> I was I thought they were kidding. >> Okay. Where were you at the time? >> I was right next to him. He was He was to my left, Justin. >> Okay, so you're standing next to Justin. You step out for one second and I'll be right back. >> Okay. >> So at this point you didn't see Aaron shooting in your direction. You >> I just She told me that she did hear >> You didn't hear it though? >> I heard it and I smelled it. >> And you smelled it. >> I smelled it. >> And when you looked and saw Aaron, she was in that position right there. >> Yeah. It could be flip-flopped. >> Or it could be either. Okay. >> I don't >> And the weapon at that time though, when you hear it and you smell it, when you look for it, where is it? >> I didn't see it. >> Okay, do you know if Josh fired it? >> No. I Aaron told me that she did. >> Okay. So, you know you didn't see it. >> No. >> You didn't fire it. >> I didn't fire it. And then Aaron said, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." >> And what did she say to you? >> She said, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know it was loaded. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." And she just kept repeating it, and I didn't know what happened. I smelled it. I felt the help, you know, like what was I supposed to What else are we supposed to do? This like help. >> Somebody wants help. >> What did you see? >> I saw a dead body. >> Hm? >> I saw something dead. I saw Justin dead by the front door. >> Who's Who's near him? >> Josh and Aaron. >> Okay. And where was Maddie? >> Probably like around the kitchen, like around the kitchen counter crying or something or screaming, too. >> What was being said? >> What's going on? What's going on? Call the cops. Call the cops. Please call the cops. He's dead. He's going to die. Call the cops. Call the ambulance. >> Okay. Um anybody saying anything about who shot who or what What was being said? >> Aaron was saying, "I didn't mean to shoot I didn't mean to shoot him." >> Okay. So, Aaron was saying, "I didn't mean to shoot him." >> She was saying >> Um >> That's what I heard. >> I'm sorry. >> That's what I heard. >> Okay. You didn't see the shot? >> No. >> Justin being shot was absolutely senseless. Aaron had a beer and smoked marijuana. Josh downed eight or nine beers. Andria and Madison were equally drunk. Why was a gun even near them? So, detectives asked, one, how does an unloaded gun fire? Two, did Aaron pull that trigger on purpose? >> And >> All right. So, then you're all in here and you said you think you placed the the weapon right here? >> Yeah, it it was not in a in a holster. >> No, it was it was inside my waistband. >> Okay. So, you just tucked it inside >> Yeah, I I just tucked it in and I pulled it out and put it right here on the counter. And the magazine was in the firearm at this point because I had it on my waist because me and Justin I took the gun from Maddie because she was holding it. I said, "Hey, listen, me and Justin are going to go buy some more beer real quick. Can I have my gun? You know, we're we're leaving. Can I have my gun?" And she said, "Okay." I took it and physically, you know, put the magazine and put it in my waist. Something distracted us from going to get more beer. Um I don't know what it was. I think Oh, Justin said, "Oh, hey, I I don't drink Stella. Can we go get some Corona or something like that?" I was like, "Okay, you know, whatever. I need cigarettes. Let's go." So, we were getting ready to leave and that's how we came back inside to finish the rest of our beer to go get more when all this [ __ ] happened. >> So, then the the gun was taken out and placed on the counter. >> Exactly. The gun was taken out and placed on the counter because we weren't physically leaving at that point. I said, "Okay, you know, if we're going to sit down, I want to be care you know, comfortable. Like it's in my vicinity. If I'm going to leave this little area, I'm going to take it with me cuz that's you know, that's just me. I always take it where I am so I can have an eyesight on it. And like I said, like that just instant reaction of, you know, Aaron me going like this and talking to Maddie and not paying attention for 2 seconds got someone shot. >> I just want to try to like think over this whole situation because like it it was just like everything was perfect. Everything was cool. Like I said, Aaron like I showed Aaron and Maddie at the same time like I said, how to know the gun was unloaded and I guess like what happened is Aaron just thought the magazine wasn't in the gun and went to try to you know slide it back and and and replicate how you would load a firearm and didn't realize the magazine was in the weapon and and and shot him. >> Can that weapon be fired uh without anything in the chamber? >> What do you mean? >> Can you pull the trigger on it? >> Without a bullet in the chamber? Yes, sir. You can. You can because it's a striker fire weapon. So >> And would it automatically then place a round in the chamber without pulling the trigger? >> No. >> So you physically have to pull the >> have Yes, sir. >> pull back on the slide in order to put one in there. >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. >> Unless there's one already in there. >> And let Exactly. In order to make the weapon fire, it will not physically load one into the chamber unless you slide it back. You have to physically slide it back and make the effort and it has two safeties on it, one on the trigger and one on the back pressure plate. So she physically had to be trying to slide it back and like you know that's okay with me, but the fact is that she didn't pay attention to the fact that it had a bullet in it. And it's my fault, like it's my weapon. I understand like I feel horrible about this. >> So the story was that Josh unloaded the gun first while teaching Maddie how to take out the magazine and how to clear it. Then when the lesson ended he loaded it again and just carelessly placed it for Aaron to later pick it up. Now and I'm going to check the amount of rounds in the gun. But the one that is by the table could that have been one that you thought you were missing outside or >> I I I don't think so. >> Okay. >> I really don't know. >> So you think that that was caused by the one that >> the fact like the only time I took them out of the magazine was when we were outside and I set them on the table. And she tried to load them >> Right there? >> Yeah, out outside the house. Outside the house on the on the back patio when me and before Aaron was even there is when this all We losing the bullet happened. And I said, "Okay." I didn't catch it you know, I just loaded them in loaded them in. Me and Maddie went into her house. She opened a beer for me and her and she was watching some TV show Dracula or something and when she was doing that I said okay, let me make sure my bullets are here. You know, I had no money it came with I know how many are you know, I want to count them. So I took them out I physically counted them. I said hey Maddie there's only 15 here. I started with 16. She said oh are you sure? And I said I'm like yeah, you know, like I know you know, and she's like well, it must be outside cuz that's only the place we were. >> So what you're saying there should be only 13 in the magazine? Right. >> The one missing plus the one shot, there should be 14. No, no, no, you're right because you said that there's one by the table too. Which I don't know how that got there. Maybe it got kicked in from outside but I I don't think so because >> Well, I'll check. If there's 14 there then that you're missing one. Fair to say. >> There is as far as I know there were 16 when I started. Right now with the one missing that I know plus the one that was fired into Justin, there should be 14. If there's only 13 then that means that another one somehow got out of the magazine and her possession because I know I didn't do it. Right at the table exactly right at the table too. Which I don't see how she would pull the slide back and not realize and see a bullet pop out. Maybe maybe she didn't see it pop out and that's why she thought it was empty and pulled the trigger and >> Almost everyone in this case seems to be immature. Even Josh who might not be the shooter can't keep his story straight. Even retelling shifts some detail. If you're into clean designs with a criminal twist, you want to check out what's live right now on strangerlabel.com. From heavyweight t-shirts and hoodies to tank tops and sweatshirts, it's all made for fans of mystery, suspense and everything in between. Take a minute, browse over at strangerlabel.com. Let's get back to the case. >> Let me write some of this down. Okay, so um the gun goes off. Um >> Just Just I don't know where you put the gun or >> I'm pretty sure I set right back down like because I was like >> Put it back on the same table. Okay. All right. And then what did you do? >> I went proceeded to him and he he had gone to the door and then he was like he like fell to the ground and then his head went back >> Mhm. >> and then everyone was freaking out and then called the cop. Everyone was flipping out and I just lifted his shirt up to see where it was and it was like um below his chest uh >> Do you um you remember how many times you were firing the weapon when it didn't have a a round in it? >> I only >> Like one, two, three, four? >> did it once with Nanny with Nanny. >> Okay, just once. >> I don't I don't know. Nanny was helping me but Nanny had pointed it at me like joking around and pulled the trigger like three times. >> Mhm. >> And she had been pulling it with Josh in self-defense. >> For for a lot more? >> Uh five to 10 times. >> Okay, so you only pulled it once during the practice portion of it. Okay. >> And I was being assisted. >> Okay. All right. Yeah, no that that makes sense. Okay. Um tell me about your relationship with uh Justin. How long you been dating? >> Over a year. >> Okay, so over a year. >> Yeah. Um >> Were you going out? Still going out? Did you break up or >> broke up a month ago. We were back together and we were we were doing good. >> You One month ago he broke up and you're back together? >> Yeah. And everything was fine. We've been being good. Everything was good. Everyone was getting along. No fight. >> Okay, no fighting or anything like >> No, he was just texting me like like hurry up. I love you like I'm waiting for you, like >> Okay. And um you guys both knew you were going to go to the same house tonight, okay. All right. >> Josh is I originally Josh called Justin as well. >> Okay. >> We all called We I'm not the only >> But but what I'm saying is just before the shots there was no arguing or anything between you and Justin. >> No. No. >> Was there any arguing between you or anybody else? >> Nobody. Nobody was arguing. Nobody was Nobody was arguing. >> It was a good time. Everybody was having a good >> having a great time and it was >> Okay. And Justin and Erin, how long have they been going together? >> Well, let's see. I think about 2 and 1/2 3 years. >> Okay. >> Yeah, so they were >> So they didn't see each other for about 3 years? >> telling me the other day that she was having separation anxiety. >> Why were were they were separated? >> Yeah, they were broken up. >> Oh, they were broken up. Okay. >> But Erin would never ever ever do that on purpose. >> Did Were they Were they fighting at all tonight? >> No, not at all. >> Nobody was fighting tonight at the party. >> was just completely calm. We were just all hanging out. >> Mhm. Do you know um Justin? >> Not really. >> You know Erin though. >> Yeah, through my friend Carissa. I've met Erin like a total of eight times. >> And how well do you know Erin? >> Not that well. >> Okay. Do you know their relationship? >> She told me about it. >> And what did she tell you? >> That they fight cuz she still loves him and yeah, stuff like that. >> Do you know are they still going out or anything like that? >> Not anymore. >> Okay. And how was their attitude toward each towards each other there at the party? >> Um fine, I thought. >> Okay. Well, did you see them fighting at all? >> At the party, no. >> Okay. Where Where did you see him fighting? >> Heard them. Like she was just saying like she's mad because he's not doing the right thing and she wants him to do the right thing, but she still loved him. She still wanted to stay with him and they weren't fighting when I saw them together. Moments changed in a tenth of a second. >> I got to ask you, did you mean to shoot him? >> No. >> Okay. I know. >> Not at Not at all, ever. >> We You You had told me though that you pointed in his direction. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. And you you pointed in other words at him and not over here in his direction. You were pointing cuz that was happening earlier >> He had pointed right at me like not even that, like my my body. She's like pointing at my head. >> Uh-huh. Okay. >> And we're all just playing around and nothing had happened. She I looked like I seen that it was empty. And I guess I just because she was helping me when I had it in my hand, I just didn't feel the weight difference because somebody else was holding it. >> Mhm. Okay. >> And I never shot a handgun like that. I don't know how much it weighs loaded or not and loaded. I only shot rifles. >> Okay. There was no visible motive for Aaron to aim at Justin that night. Everything suggests she didn't need to. But her manner, including her posture, the way she talks and the words she's choosing grow stranger by the minute. And in 3 minutes, you'll see something that underlines this entire mismatch. Okay. All right, the only other thing that I'm going to ask you is um obviously the shooting occurred inside your place, okay? And it's your place and your place only, correct? Okay. What I'm going to ask you to do is I'm going to ask you for consent to search, to go in to grab all the items and and get everything out of there. >> Sure. >> Okay. Um and that's what this form is for. Okay. So, right now I'm going to put down the case number. >> Okay. >> Now, understand what's going to happen is we're going to have an officer take you out there. Okay? We're going to have to have somebody come in and search, so you're not going to be able to get in. Okay? You understand that you can sit there with it and if there's an issue with the search or anything like that, if if you have any questions, you can ask the officer. >> I just want to make sure my cats are okay. >> Okay. All right. And you know, they can take care of that also for you, okay? >> I just want to make sure my cats are okay. >> How many cats you have? >> Two. >> All right. All right, let me step out real quick. >> Raise your right hand. Everything you just told me in the statement is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. >> Absolutely. >> Can you think of anything else I may be leaving out? Is there anything else you think I should know? >> No, I mean, like like I said, they were fighting back and forth together. Like everything that happened was >> All right. If you would, raise your right hand for me. Everything you just told me in the statement is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. >> It's true. >> Okay. All right. Just hang real quick right here and I'll get somebody to take you back, okay? >> All right. Cool. >> card, right? >> Yeah, you said you gave me >> Okay. If there's anything that you can think of, please give me a call tomorrow or today, we should say. >> I would if I thought of anything else I would. >> Okay. Just hold for one second for me. >> Am I allowed to go to the hospital? >> Hm? Um I I don't know. I I'm going to be going to the hospital, so I I don't know. >> I just don't want to leave him alone. >> Okay. Raise your right hand. >> I swear to god. >> Everything you just told me in this statement is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about what happened tonight. >> I swear to god. >> All right. Well, uh you got my card right there. Okay? >> So, what's going to happen? >> Give me a call in the morning if you think of anything that you can remember. Um we're just we're going to leave here and uh we're going to go check, obviously, um on Justin. And um I've interviewed everybody involved. We've been over at the house, so we've gotten the the the handgun that was used and all of that. >> get his gun back? >> Um eventually, yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Eventually, yeah. >> Okay. >> He really likes that thing. >> All right. All right. Well, thanks for coming in and giving me your side of the story. Okay? I really do appreciate it. You've been very kind. Okay? Let's go. >> Somehow, Erin cares more that Josh gets his gun back than that Justin lives. Finally, Erin Steel and Joshua Henry were charged with manslaughter by culpable negligence. Erin pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and in exchange, she was sentenced to 7 years of probation. And if she completes it without another offense, she walks away without a permanent felony. And Joshua's manslaughter charges were dismissed by the judge, who accepted the defense argument that his involvement was negligent, but not culpable negligence. Thank you for watching. 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