QUESTA, NM — The teenager accused of shooting a 13-year-old girl in Questa is expected to accept a plea deal Thursday.

Porfirio Brown, then 14, is accused of shooting Amber Archuleta in his father’s home last year.

According to court documents, the shooting occurred when Brown was showing a group of friends a gun collection that his father, William Brown, kept at home.

The teenager was already on trial for murder earlier this year. However, the trial ended without a jury verdict.

Porfirio Brown is due back in court next week, but his lawyer says he is willing to take a plea deal.

Prosecutors have agreed to drop the murder charge against him. He will likely serve a year of probation for tampering with evidence.

His father, William Brown, was also charged in that case under Bennie’s Law, which holds people liable if they fail to properly store their firearms in a safe place out of the reach of children. A jury failed to convict him in June.

Statement from the family of Amber Archuleta

Amber Archuleta was just 13 years old – a bright, innocent girl with her whole life ahead of her. She was beloved in our community, known for her kindness and the joy she brought to those around her. Amber was doing what so many teenagers do: spending time with friends and listening to music, when her life was tragically and senselessly taken by a monster.

While we understand the deal, it is impossible to ignore the serious failings of the justice system and law enforcement in this case. The mishandling of the crime scene and the fact that the shooter and his family were allowed to destroy vital evidence and hide the gun used to end Amber’s life is a grave injustice not only to our family, but to the entire community of Questa, New Mexico. And for the shooter’s family to mock the situation and say they were planning to throw a party at the house where Amber was murdered the day of the murder says everything you need to know about these horrible people.

Amber deserves better. Our community deserves better. The system has failed to protect her and it has failed to get her the justice she – and all of us – deserves. This deal does not mean the end of our fight. We will continue to demand justice for Amber and will not rest until those responsible are held fully accountable for their actions.

Amber’s life was stolen from us and we will not allow her memory to be tainted by the failure of those who should uphold the law. Our family and the community of Questa will not be silenced and we will continue to fight for the justice Amber rightfully deserves.