MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 19-year-old man has been charged in connection to the shooting death of 14-year-old Bryant Triplett on the evening of Dec. 28.

Nineteen-year-old Rahshad Bates is charged with homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon.

A criminal complaint says Bates and the victim were walking dogs in an alley near 21st and Concordia when a pistol he was carrying accidentally discharged, striking Triplett in the stomach. 

The victim was taken to an area hospital and underwent surgery but ultimately died of his injury.

Prosecutors say Bates initially claimed that an unknown person fired the weapon, but later corrected himself, admitting that he had been carrying the gun without a holster under his armpit.

He told detectives he started to empty the gun and had his finger on the trigger when he pulled the slide back and the gun accidentally discharged. 

He said he tossed the gun near a house after the shooting.

Records show cash bond was set at $2,500. 

Rahshad is due in court for a preliminary hearing Jan. 10.