Teen will not be tried as an adult in shooting death

A Jackson County family court judge has ruled that a 15-year-old charged in the February shooting death of another teenager will not be tried as an adult.

The 15-year-old faces second-degree murder and tampering charges in the Feb. 15 death of Jaiair Strong.

Jaiair, a Raytown High School student, also 15, was fatally shot in the chest near U.S. 40 and Willow Road.

Judge David Byrn denied the motion to certify the juvenile charged in the case to be tried as an adult. A certification hearing was May 25.

The case will remain with the family court. A hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 15.

Witnesses told investigators that the teen now facing charges, another teen and Jaiair all went to an apartment on Willow Road to meet a fourth person who they said was going to sell them marijuana.

Investigators believe the three teens actually went there to steal a handgun, according to court records.

Jaiair was wounded as he struggled for the gun. He later died at a hospital.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 4:13 PM with the headline "Teen will not be tried as an adult in shooting death."