A Phoenix teen suspected in the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy told police the boy had previously held him at gunpoint as they tried to break into a safe, records show.

James Charles Lee, 18, is facing a charge of second-degree murder and was being held Friday in a Maricopa County jail in lieu of a $1 million bond.

The name of the teen who was killed had not been released by Friday afternoon.

Lee told police he had been at the other teen’s house early Thursday morning but, around 4:30 a.m., they left to go to Lee’s house near 28th Street and Cactus Road, police said in court records.

Lee said they were en route when the teen pointed a gun at him and told him they were going to breaking into a safe at Lee’s home that supposedly contained firearms, police said.

Lee said the teen kicked in the garage door, tipped over the safe and attempted to shoot the hinges off. Detectives at the scene said no hinges were visible on the exterior of the safe, records show.

“They both worked for over an hour using a torch and pick ax and were able to make a hole into the safe,” police said Lee told them. 

Lee said they took three smoke and bathroom breaks, and the teen stayed close by with the gun on him.

He said the teen became angry upon discovering the safe was empty and went into the house to search for firearms. Lee said the teen was a gun seller, and “James had previously boasted to the victim about having the safe and having guns,” police wrote in court records.

Lee said he went into a hallway bathroom and came out to find the teen sitting on his mother’s bed, facing away from the door. Seizing the opportunity, Lee said he grabbed the gun that the teen had placed on the bed and shot him in the back, records show.

“I asked James to explain why he shot the victim and he told me it was not right what the victim did and he did not like the victim going through his mother’s medications,” police wrote in court records.

Around 5:45 a.m., a shaken Lee showed up at a neighbor’s home with the gun, and the neighbor called 911, police spokesman Sgt. Vince Lewis said.

Lee’s next court hearing is set for June 23. 

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