Report: Accidental shooting led teen to burn friend’s body in trash

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 14, 2015
Homicides | Victims |

The teenager accused in the shooting death of his friend told police it was an accident, according to a report from WUSA9, citing court documents.

According to the documents, Zaccheus Blanding, 19, says he accidentally shot his friend Heineken McNeil, while Blanding was playing with the gun and thought the safety was on.

Firefighters found the body of McNeil burning in a trash can on June 23.

According to the documents cited by WUSA9, Blanding, charged with second-degree murder, told police he panicked after he realized his friend wouldn’t “bounce back” and then proceeded to buy duct tape with McNeil still in his room, and then stuff his friend into a trash can which he later set on fire.