El Reno Police arrest 10-year-old in death of other 10-year-old

EL RENO, Okla. (AP) _ Police have arrested a 10-year-old boy in the shooting death of his 10-year-old friend. <br><br>The child, his head covered with a shirt, was escorted past reporters into police headquarters

Thursday, August 8th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

EL RENO, Okla. (AP) _ Police have arrested a 10-year-old boy in the shooting death of his 10-year-old friend.

The child, his head covered with a shirt, was escorted past reporters into police headquarters late Wednesday by officers and his parents.

He was questioned for nearly an hour before police filed a murder complaint against him and took him into custody, said El Reno Police Chief Fred Savage.

His arrest came nearly three days after the body of Tremain Richey was found. His mother called 911 just before 4 p.m. Monday after discovering him in the back yard of their home.

Police aren't sure how long the child had been dead. He had been shot once in the head.

Officers searched the home of the boy suspected in the shooting about 9 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators found a revolver they believe was the gun used in the shooting wrapped in a blanket inside a garage, Savage said.

The gun has been sent to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for analysis, authorities said.

Police still want to find ``anything from clothing, shell casings or any other physical evidence'' connected to the shooting, Savage said.

Officers also found a juvenile who witnessed the shooting, but they would not elaborate.

Savage said the two boys were friends. In a statement released early Thursday, detectives said the shooting occurred as a result of an argument.

``At this point we don't believe it was an accident,'' Savage said.

The boy was transported to a juvenile detention center early Thursday. Police did not know when he would be arraigned.

The highly publicized shooting has rocked this community of more than 15,000, located about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City.

The boy's relatives described Richey as a three-sport star who loved football, but also excelled in school.

Richey's funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning.