10-year-old boy killed after he was hit by stray bullet in Broward home. No charges follow

Prosecutors won’t be filing criminal charges after a 10-year-old boy was shot and killed while sitting on the couch in his Lauderhill home because the shooting was an accident, according to a document released by the Broward State Attorney’s Office.

On Nov. 14, 2023, Mike Saint Jean was playing on his phone when a bullet pierced the wall and hit his neck. Mike, a student at Park Lakes Elementary School in Lauderdale Lakes, was waiting for his older brother to finish checking his homework at the time of the shooting, according to a GoFundMe post.

Mike, affectionately known by friends and family as “the hugger,” was a vibrant boy, loved ones said in the fundraiser. He died five days later at Broward Health Medical Center.

“In an instant, a stray bullet shattered the tranquility of the household,” the fundraiser says. “The living room, once filled with the warmth of family, was now clouded with chaos and confusion.”

Shooting was an accident?

The fatal bullet came from another unit in the building, located near the 5300 block of Northwest 19th St.

Moments before, a woman was picking up a blue bag that her boyfriend had left in her apartment, according to the memo. Inside was a 9 mm Glock handgun.

She told police she mistakenly picked the firearm up with her finger on the trigger, the document states. Forensic evidence backed up her account, and officers on the scene also didn’t uncover any indication of foul play — or of intent to fire the weapon.

“It is clear from the evidence gathered that there was not an intentional criminal act that caused the death of Mike Saint Jean,” the memo says.

For that reason, prosecutors say, they didn’t have evidence to prove a murder or manslaughter case. There also isn’t anything pointing to the woman using the gun carelessly.

“All witness statements to police were consistent with regard to how the shooting occurred and there are no other witnesses or physical evidence which contradicts that version of events,” the memo states.

Mike’s family, the memo indicates, urged prosecutors to consider moving forward with a shooting a deadly missile charge. The state attorney’s office, however, says that wasn’t possible because that charge also requires proof of intent.

In a statement provided to the Miami Herald on Wednesday, attorney Pedro Echarte, who represents the Saint Jean family, said they appreciated law enforcement’s efforts but were disappointed by the decision not to prosecute Mike’s death.

“Nothing can relieve the family of the pain they struggle with every day since this tragedy occurred, but they will continue to pursue justice for Mike and ensure that those responsible are ultimately held accountable.”