16-year-old boy charged in Virginia after 8-year-old boy killed, sister wounded in attack

RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond police say a 16-year-old boy assaulted a young girl and killed her 8-year-old brother in their neighborhood.

Neighbors and relatives tell The Richmond Times Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1kzZKQE ) that the 8-year-old boy was trying help his 12-year-old sister and was hit in the head with a brick.

Richmond Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Mary E. Langer said she could not confirm whether a brick was used but police told her the boy, Martin Cobb, suffered severe head trauma.

Martin died at the scene and his sister was taken to a hospital. An aunt of the siblings, Geraldine Pitchford, says the girl is OK.

Police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh said Saturday the 16-year-old boy was charged with murder and strangulation.