Teen admits guilt in gun theft tied to fatal shooting of Ross High School student

A 17-year-old Ross High School student has admitted guilt in connection with the fatal shooting of a fellow student in January.

The teen entered a true plea to felony theft on Monday in Butler County Juvenile Court. According to court documents, the teen removed his father’s .38-caliber handgun from his father’s bedroom and passed it to another subject.

MORE: Teen to be tried as adult in fatal shooting of Ross student

Last week, the case of Zachary Welsh, 17, of Ross Twp., who is charged with murder, aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence for allegedly fatally shooting Austin Hensley on the evening of Jan. 30 at a residence on Hine Road, was sent to adult court for trial.

Butler County Sheriff’s detectives say Hensley was shot with a .38 caliber handgun.

Officials say Hensley’s death was the result of a robbery gone bad. He died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Butler County Coroner’s Office.

MORE: Teen charged with gun theft in connection with Ross student’s death

“(The shooting suspect) lured (the victim) to the house, they were gonna trade guns, supposedly,” Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said. “In the process, the (shooting suspect) had all intentions of robbing (the victim) that he lured into the house through social media.

“It appears a scuffle took place and then an attempted robbery, and the victim was shot and killed.”

The teen charged with theft was sentenced by Judge Ronald Craft to the Butler County Rehabilitation Center for a period of five to six months or longer, depending on behavior. He will also be placed on probation when released.

About the Author