Spartanburg teen to be tried as adult in 3 deaths

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — A Spartanburg teenager accused of killing three relatives will be tried as an adult.

The grand jury has indicted the now-15-year-old on three counts of murder and possession of a gun during a violent crime.

Forty-four-year-old Robert Lankford and 83-year-old Virginia Gaston died when they were shot at their home Jan. 17. Eighty-year-old Rachel Gaston Lankford died later at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

The teen has been held at the Department of Juvenile Justice since his arrest.

Officials have not released a motive in the shooting.

Prosecutors say the teen calmly called 911 and told a dispatcher that he had shot his relatives with a .22-caliber gun.

A court appearance is scheduled next month.