On January 18th at 7:52 p.m., law enforcement officials received a 9-1-1 call from the grandmother of a teenager who had been shot.

Ms. Cheryl Neal said three friends of her grandson, Demarcus Smart, 17, ran to her home and told her he had shot himself in the head.

Tampa Police reported that Smart had been in a vacant home with three friends playing with a gun. Smart was reportedly looking at the gun when he pulled the trigger and shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, but based on the evidence so far, the shooting appears to be accidental, and the gun was in Smart’s possession when it was fired.

Ms. Neal said Smart had been in her custody until 2009, after entering the foster care system in 2004.

“He was with me until 2009, when he went into foster care for 2 years, then went to live with his other grandmother, Angie Lee, in Clearwater. Demarcus was a good boy who really loved his mother. He always wanted to be with her, and was visiting her when this incident happened.”

Ms. Neal said Demarcus had told his mother he was going to the store when he left the house.

“We don’t know anything about the gun, and we don’t believe he accidentally shot himself,” said Ms. Neal. “I think there is more to it than what’s been told. I don’t know anything about the boys he was with.”

Ms Neal said Demarcus wasn’t attending school, but had enrolled to get his GED.

“Demarcus had a brother and two sisters, and really enjoyed playing video games, listening to music, and dancing. He was a typical teenager who was very respectful to his family, but also could be very stubborn.”

A service will be held at Bible Based Fellowship of Temple Terrace this Saturday. Other arrangements are still being worked out by The Carnegie-Dallas Funeral Home in Clearwater.