BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Investigators in Belleville said Cole Wierciszewski's friend accidentally shot and killed him while handling Wierciszewski's new shotgun Monday.
Jewell Smith, 20, is now charged with involuntary manslaughter.
"I wish I could take that day back. I wish I could give my life, and they would have their child because this hurts,” Jewell’s mom, Jackie, said.
She sat down with 5 On Your Side to apologize to Wierciszewski's family on behalf of her son.
"He wants the family to know that he's so sorry,” she said.
Police said Jewell was part of a group of friends hanging out at Cole's house Monday.
Jewell was handling Wierciszewski's new shotgun when somehow the gun went off, firing the shot that killed Cole.
"They're friends, you know, friends,” Smith said. "I just wish it had never happened, you know, my deepest apologies to the family."
Wierciszewski's family is now without their 19-year-old son. Jewell now lives with the guilt of that reality and faces a criminal charge.
"He's not the same Jewell, and I don't think he'll ever be the same Jewell,” Smith said.
She hopes others who hear this story will learn from it.
"Everybody's life is turned upside down because of one bad decision, one bad choice,” she said. "I just want all kids to know you have to make good choices."
Wierciszewski's dad told 5 On Your Side he knows the shooting was accidental, and he isn’t mad. He doesn’t want to see another young man’s life ruined because of the accident.
