A 10-year-old-boy who shot and killed his father and another man in 2008 was sentenced to in-patient treatment Thursday. The boy was accused of killing his father, Vincent Romero, 29, and his friend Tim Romans, 39, who rented a room in Romero's home in St. Johns, Arizona. After the shooting, the boy went and told a neighbor he believed his father was dead. The men were found dead in the home and police say the then eight-year-old boy confessed to shooting them with a 22-caliber rifle.
Romero had full custody of his son, and the boy's mother flew out to St. Johns after the shootings.
The boy, who was initially charged with two counts of murder, plead guilty to one count of negligent homicide in exchange for a plea deal. Under Arizona law, charges can be filed against anyone eight or older.
The boy will be confined to the treatment facility and will undergo psychiatric care. He could be held in treatment until he is 18, and will be evaluated every two-and-a-half-years to determine his progress.
