HOUSTON -- A 16-year-old Montgomery County boy was shot and killed while partying with other teenagers Tuesday, officials told KPRC Local 2.

Several teenagers and an adult were drinking at a home in the 22300 block of Smith Road at about 6 a.m. when they found a handgun and started handling it, according to investigators.

The gun went off, wounding the boy in the neck, killing him.

"We are investigating this case as a homicide right now. It will be referred to a grand jury for charges to determine whether it was, in fact, simply a tragic accident Alcohol and guns do not equate to a tragic accident or whether there was some negligence on the part of one of the juveniles," said Sgt. Carey Mace, with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department.

Officers also found several empty beer cans at the home, which will also be investigated.

"We are looking into how they obtained the alcohol as far as if it was purchased for them by someone at that location or if they brought it themselves," Mace said.

Detectives are questioning all of the teens.

Those who knew the shooting victim are shocked.

"I told his mother this morning she raised a beautiful son -- a beautiful son. She did an excellent job. He was a very good kid," friend Renee Norcott said. "He was very well loved. Everybody loved him."

There's no word yet on who owned the gun.

The boy's name was not released.

Stupid is as stupid does.

I see charges coming out of this. Criminally Negligent Homicide or Manslaughter, depending on the circumstances. The one adult should be charged with contributing charge regardless of his involvement. An adult sholdn't be hanging out with juveniles under such circumstances (yes I realize thatthe "adult" could have been 18, don't matter). The rules change once you hit 18 (17 in TX for criminal charges).

thats what happens when you get drunk and play with guns, ecspecially unexperienced teens

Darwinism plain and simple.