ONLY ON 13: Teen accused in Fort Ann shooting ordered not to contact victim’s family

The 17-year-old boy from Washington County accused of shooting and killing his 14-year-old friend has been ordered not to contact the victim’s family and to stay off social media.

Jaden Walden, of Fort Ann, allegedly shot Rycky Stark Jr.  inside an apartment in Fort Ann on Aug. 16. Walden has been charged with manslaughter.

NewsChannel 13 had not been naming the suspect. However, we are now identifying him because he is being charged as an adult.

Walden appeared before Judge Adam Michelini on Tuesday for a hearing, after the district attorney learned that Walden tried to contact Stark’s sister on the SnapChat social media app.

Michelini also ordered the accused shooter not to use any electronic devices and to have no contact with the victim’s family. 

Even though Walden is being charged as an adult, the judge could grant him youthful offender status.

Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison. If the teen is granted youthful offender status, the most he faces is 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison.