19-year-old dead after older brother accidentally shoots him, police say

Jeff Ehling Image
Saturday, December 2, 2017
19-year-old dead after older brother accidentally shoots him
Joshua Bradley (second from left) was part of ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover's mentoring program in Houston.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 19-year-old man who was shot to death overnight while his brother was handling a gun in east Houston is being remembered by an ABC13 anchor who knew him.

Investigators say Joshua Bradley, 19, and his 21-year-old brother were inside their home on Teanaway Lane near Tilgham when the older brother's semi-automatic handgun went off.

Investigators said a single bullet hit Joshua in the head, killing him instantly.

Eyewitness News weekend anchor Chauncy Glover said he read the story on air this morning not realizing he knew the victim.

Joshua was a graduate from Wheatley High School and a part of Glover's mentoring program, The Chauncy Glover Project, during its inaugural year in Houston.

PHOTOS: Remembering Joshua Bradley

Glover said Joshua had just began taking classes at Houston Community College, and had plans to make something of himself.

"Josh was such a bright young man. He was smart and very determined to be something in life," Glover said. "Whether it was unloading my car or passing out materials, Josh was always willing to help. He was the jokester of our first CGP class. He kept us laughing."

Glover said in addition to being sad for the bright future Joshua was already realizing, he mourns for his family.

Detectives on scene said Bradley's mother sprang into action to save her son with the help of 911 dispatchers, but it was too late.

Bradley's mother and brother were interviewed by police, who are still piecing together what happened.

Police said no charges have been filed, but this case may end up in the hands of a grand jury.

Detectives said this tragic case just weeks before the Christmas holiday highlights the need for gun safety in your home.

"It is tragic. The family is obviously grieving a great deal this morning, and I would just tell everybody that...treat every single weapon that you handle as it is loaded, even if you know it's unloaded, still treat it as if it's loaded," said David Stark, HPD homicide detective.

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