Man accused of killing 15-year-old pleads guilty, receives maximum sentence

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The 22-year-old accused of killing a teenage boy in July 2022 pleaded guilty Wednesday, two days before receiving the maximum sentence for his charges.

Ameir Trent pleaded guilty to reckless homicide, improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation and felonious assault in the death of 15-year-old Devin Bannister, according to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Julie Lynch sentenced Trent on Friday to 15-17 years in prison, the maximum possible sentence for the two firearm specifications accompanying his charges and the reckless homicide charge, the prosecutor said.

Bannister, Trent and three other juveniles shot more than 40 rounds into a residence with four people present on July 18, 2022. The prosecutor said leaving the residence in a car, Trent fired an additional shot, thinking his firearm was empty.

The shot went through the passenger seat and struck Bannister, and the rest of the group dropped the 15-year-old at a nearby hospital before fleeing. Police said Bannister died in the hospital from the wound.