Written by Tanya Terry
A 19-year-old Flint teenager will serve at least seven years in prison after admitting he accidentally shot and killed his 16-year old friend.
Makhi McPherson said he was playing with a handgun in January 2023 when he accidentally, but fatally shot his friend, Willie Smith. According to McPherson, he and his friend were playing with the gun while the clip was removed. McPherson added in court that they did not know the gun had a single round in the chamber.
After the charge was reduced from open murder, McPherson pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The secondary charge, felony firearm, was dismissed.
McPherson was sentenced by Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Kelly.
He was given credit for the time he has already served in jail, totaling 670 days, just 60 days under two years.
