RIDGECREST — An apparent accidental shooting Friday night in Ridgecrest left a 15-year-old dead and a 21-year-old in jail, charged with manslaughter.

Lakitress Williams, 15, died Friday night from a single gunshot wound to the chest, Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Investigator Phillip Webber said.

Williams was shot by Henry Plain Jr., 21, 353 Bayou Drive, Ferriday, who allegedly knew Williams and others that were gathered at 406 Vidalia Drive in Ridgecrest where the shooting occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m., Webber said.

From the initial investigation and witness accounts, Webber said Plain was sitting in the Ridgecrest house with a 9-mm pistol in his lap when Williams entered the house.

“They’re all friends and like family to the people at that house, so (Plain) knew (Williams) but it appears he was just so startled by him walking into the house that he lifted up the gun a little and pulled the trigger,” Webber said. “Right now, it appears to be an accident because we don’t believe (Plain) had any intention of shooting (Williams).

“According to witnesses in the house, there wasn’t an argument going on (and) the two didn’t have trouble with the other — it was just an accident.”

The bullet hit Williams in the chest and exited through his lower back. Williams was later pronounced dead on the scene, Webber said.

Plain had left the Ridgecrest house after the shooting by the time deputies and investigators arrived, but turned himself in at the sheriff’s office Saturday morning, Webber said.

Plain was charged with manslaughter and was being held without bond as of Saturday afternoon.

Webber said the investigation is ongoing and further charges could still be pending.

In Louisiana, a manslaughter charge carries a prison sentence for no more than 40 years.