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WILKES-BARRE — Kahzmeek Prater previously admitted to reporters he was responsible for the death of his friend Jacob Shedlock, calling the death a “big accident.” Last Friday, he admitted it to a judge, entering a guilty plea on a manslaughter charge.

Prater, 19, was arrested late last November, after police said he was playing with an automatic handgun while trying to fix an unraveling marijuana blunt. The weapon discharged as he was standing chest-to-chest with Shedlock in Prater’s bedroom.

Police say he initially tried to cover up the incident, hiding the gun and telling police the 18-year-old was shot by an unknown robber, but they say he later admitted to the shooting.

Prater appeared before Luzerne County Judge Fred A. Pierantoni III late last week, pleading guilty to a count of involuntary manslaughter and a charge of possession with intent to deliver drugs, the latter charge stemming from 1,200 grams, or about 2.6 pounds, of marijuana being found in Prater’s room.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors withdrew two other charges: tampering with evidence and filing a false report.

The investigation into Prater began late last November after a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim at 768 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre. When police arrived, they found Shedlock with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Prater initially told police he was in the home’s bathroom at the time of Shedlock’s shooting, claiming he ran out after hearing a shot, finding Shedlock bleeding and asking him to call 911.

During a meeting with police, Prater maintained his story that he was not involved in Shedlock’s shooting, but then admitted it when he came to police another time, asking to speak with them.

Prater said he and Shedlock were standing near each other, with Prater holding the gun in one hand and a blunt in the other. While attempting re-ravel it, the firearm discharged.

After his arraignment last year, Prater admitted fault to reporters for Shedlock’s death while being led out by police.

“I really loved my friend Jacob,” he said.

He then added, while being led into a squad car, “This is justice for Jacob.”

Pierantoni scheduled Prater’s sentencing for Nov. 8. He’ll be locked up in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility until then.

Kahzmeek Prater, then-18, is pictured being led into District Judge Malloy’s office on charges he caused the death of Jacob Shedlock last year.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1__D4S1400.jpg.optimal.jpgKahzmeek Prater, then-18, is pictured being led into District Judge Malloy’s office on charges he caused the death of Jacob Shedlock last year. Times Leader file photo

By Patrick Kernan

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Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on twitter @PatKernan