Carlsbad boy arrested in accident shooting death of cousin in Artesia New Mexico

A Carlsbad boy is accused of fatally shooting his cousin late Wednesday night. Carlsbad police said Michael Schultz, 15, shot Jeremy Hatfield, 12, around 9 p.m. Wednesday at a home in the 400 block of North Olive Street.Schultz reportedly told officers responding to a call around 9 p.m. Wednesday that his cousin, also known as Jeremy Romero Martinez, had been the victim of a drive-by shooting. Officers found Hatfield with his sister, Destiny Romero, on the front yard of their Olive Street home, suffering from a gun shot wound to his abdomen, according to a news release from the Carlsbad Police Department.Hatfield was transported to Carlsbad Medical Center and pronounced dead at 10:32 p.m. from his wound.Police began a search for a vehicle, described as a black SUV, but detectives soon determined that the evidence did not coincide with statements given by Schultz and Romero. During an interview with Det. Sgt. Blaine Rennie, Schultz reportedly admitted to having shot Hatfield. He also said he hid the weapon, a .380 handgun, and spent shell casing underneath the house.The weapon and spent casing were recovered by police, but police aren't yet sure how Schultz obtained the gun.Romero reportedly indicated after a second interview that Schultz told her to lie to the police regarding the drive by shooting, stating that she had actually been in the kitchen of the house when she heard a gunshot.