Chester County Teen Free On Bail In 4-Year-Old Brother's Death

WEST CHESTER —An 18-year-old Coatesville teen was released from Chester County Prison Tuesday afternoon after posting $100,000 bail.

Victor Lara-Ortiz is accused of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the 4-year-old brother who shot himself in the head on Feb. 28 with his brother’s gun. He is a senior at Coatesville Area High School.

Coatesville police said he left a loaded firearm unsecured on his bedroom table.

The boy, Roman Aguilera-Ortiz died of an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the Chester County coroner’s office.

Co-defendant, William Thomas, 31, is in Chester County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail after being arraigned before Hines on charges of illegally purchasing and transferring the firearm to Lara-Ortiz, delivery of a firearm to a minor and related charges.’

Both defendants face a preliminary hearing later this month.

Roman died as a result of a gunshot would to the head, according to medical authorities.

Police said Lara-Ortiz was not home when his brother died and had left his Glock on a table by his bed.