Teen Accused Of Shooting In Bricktown To Be Tried As Adult

An Oklahoma County judge has ruled a teenager will be tried as an adult, after he allegedly shot a man in Bricktown following game five of the playoff series between the Thunder and Lakers.

Avery Meyers, 17, is charged with eight counts of shooting with intent to kill. He was 16 years old at the time of the shooting. Police say Meyers opened fire on a crowd of thousands of people on May 21.

5/29/2013 Related Story: Teenager Arrested In Bricktown Shooting Charged

Norman Richards was walking back to his car when he was struck in the back by a bullet. He spent nearly three weeks in the intensive care unit, but survived.

News 9 obtained a copy of the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law regarding the state's motion to have Meyers tried as an adult instead of having him certified as an adult.

The judge ruled Meyers showed an "unwillingness to separate himself from gang life," and in "his own profession he intends to return to gang life once he completes the fifteen month program."

It also stated Meyers would refer to himself as a "modern day Tupac."

The judge further went on to write that "the facts of this case, while horrible, could have been even worse. The Defendant's actions could have easily cost the lives of many people, who only thought they were going to a basketball game." 

"After carefully considering each factor, this court finds that the state has met its burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence that there is good cause to believe the defendant would not reasonably complete a plan of rehabilitation, and that the public would not be adequately protected if the defendant were to be sentenced as a youthful offender."

Meyers could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.