A Tomball teenager accused of the death of his 16-year-old brother avoided prison when a Harris County judge approved a plea deal that reduced the charge and placed him on probation.
Rhyder Tettleton, 17, was first charged with manslaughter following the November 2024 incident in a barn behind the family’s home. On Monday, a Harris County judge accepted a plea deal that reduced the allegation to criminally negligent homicide, a felony, and sentenced Tettleton to four years of deferred adjudication community supervision.
Tettleton is required to follow various court-ordered restrictions as part of his probation, including remaining in Harris County or the nearby areas, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, taking a firearms safety class, and continuing mental health therapy with a qualified psychiatrist. He will also be obliged to take frequent drug and alcohol tests and report to a community supervision officer as directed.
Prosecutors claimed the incident occurred after a night of drinking among a group of teenagers who had been dry-firing guns they thought were empty. Witnesses said authorities they heard a gunshot and saw Tettleton standing next to his brother, holding the gun. The 16-year-old boy reportedly cried for aid after being shot in the abdomen before collapsing.
According to court documents, Tettleton originally denied involvement before admitting to authorities that he thought the gun was unloaded when he shot it. He also allegedly urged other teenagers to accept responsibility for the shooting.
Family attorney Andrea Kolski described the occurrence as a “tragic accident” and stated that Tettleton administered CPR on his brother while waiting for first responders.
Tettleton’s plea agreement implies that if he follows the terms of his probation, he will avoid having a formal conviction on his record. His case will be kept under judicial control for the next four years.