A York County jury has convicted 15-year-old Nolan Grove of third-degree murder for the 2023 shooting death of 12-year-old Kain Heiland. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday (June 10), also included convictions for illegal gun possession and reckless endangerment. Grove, who was charged as an adult, shot Heiland in Red Lion when he was just 13 years old.
The trial, which lasted a week, concluded with jurors deliberating for less than a day before reaching their decision. According to WGAL, Grove's attorney, Farley Holt, argued that the shooting was accidental, claiming Grove thought the gun was unloaded and was using its laser as a light. However, prosecutors contended that Grove acted with "malicious indifference," pointing a loaded gun with real consequences.
The incident has sparked discussions about juvenile access to firearms and gun safety. As reported by York Dispatch, Grove accessed his father's handgun from a safe and carried it around, pointing it at friends and using its laser sight. The shooting occurred as Grove and his friends walked through a dark breezeway, where he claimed the gun discharged accidentally.
Grove's sentencing is scheduled for August 28. The case has deeply affected the Red Lion community, raising broader questions about accountability when minors commit deadly acts.