Man confesses shooting twin, says it was accidental

YOUNGSTOWN -- Lawrence N. Charlton died after being shot in a car early today on the South Side, and his 20-year-old twin told police that he accidentally shot him.
Lawrence Charlton died at 12:33 a.m. today in St. Elizabeth Health Center. Police reports give his address as Akron and East Midlothian Boulevard.
His death is the city's 32nd homicide, one more than last year's total.
His twin, Lorin N. Charlton of East Midlothian, was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide and booked into Mahoning County Jail. The city prosecutor was to review the case this morning.
Lawrence and Lorin Charlton had been passengers in a dark blue Chevrolet Caprice that police spotted speeding. Police pursued the car from South Avenue to downtown just past midnight today.
Police finally stopped the car at the dead end of Spring Street on the North Side. Officers found Lawrence Charlton sprawled across the front seat, bleeding from the mouth.
Lorin Charlton, who had been a back-seat passenger, jumped out saying his brother had been shot, reports show. He said they had been on South Avenue when another car pulled up and a man they know pointed an assault rifle at them, reports show.
Lorin Charlton said he accidentally shot his brother in the back while trying to protect him. The driver was taken to police headquarters downtown for questioning.