15-year-old San Tan Valley boy killed over marijuana vape sale, police say | Arizona News

SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — A 15-year-old boy is being charged as an adult after shooting another teen over a marijuana vape sale back in September, police say. 

According to court documents, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office investigators found 15-year-old Joshua McCoy was involved in selling marijuana vape cartridges. Police say 15-year-old Joshua Franklin was upset over a bad product McCoy had sold him, and the two had agreed to meet up to exchange the defective cartridge. However, Franklin shot McCoy at his home in San Tan Valley and left the scene. 

A witness told police McCoy was expected to meet Franklin the day of the shooting, Sept. 26., to exchange the bad cartridge. According to police, the information was confirmed after Snapchat messages revealed a conversation between the two boys, with McCoy sending Franklin his home address.

Around 1:30 p.m., PCSO received a call about a shooting at a home near East Bella Vista Road and Appalachian Trail. When officers arrived, McCoy was lying near the front door of the home with multiple gunshot wounds, and was pronounced dead on the scene.

One witness said he heard gunshots and saw a suspect, later identified as Franklin, leaving wearing all black clothes, according to police. The witness also alleged he saw the suspect carrying a scooter with a seat attached to it. 

On Oct. 20., Franklin turned himself in with a lawyer and his parents present. Police say Franklin did not offer a statement, and was then placed under arrest. Franklin was booked on recommended charges of first-degree murder, misconduct of weapons and disorderly conduct.