LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster teen will serve up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty this week to shooting another teenager in the head last year, prosecutors said Friday.
Charles Freeman, 16, pleaded guilty on Monday to aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor, recklessly endangering another person, and discharging a firearm in city limits at a hearing before Lancaster County Judge Thomas Sponaugle.
Freeman admitted to his role in shooting the 15-year-old victim in the head on January 7, 2023, in an incident that occurred on the 100 block of Dorwart Street.
The victim was taken from the scene to a nearby hospital for treatment of a life-threatening injury.
Two other suspects, 18-year-old Sackiwa Ntuli and 16-year-old Jose M. Ramos, were arrested within weeks of the incident.
Sponaugle told the defendant that if the victim hadn't lived, Freeman would likely be spending the rest of his life in prison.
Instead, Sponaugle accepted the guilty plea and issued a sentence of 5-10 years in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Janie Swinehart prosecuted the case. Lancaster City Bureau of Police Officer James Boas filed charges.
