A 15-year-old from Manhattan will be tried as an adult for first-degree murder in the shooting death of a fellow Manhattan High School student.

Riley County District Judge David Stutzman issued the ruling Thursday in the death of 14-year-old Tyler Dowling, who was found dead April 13 in a field.

Stutzman granted the state’s motion to try the suspect as an adult because of the seriousness and nature of the crime. He says the evidence during the hearing described a calculated killing of a friend.

KMAN reports that the judge said the shooting apparently happened so the suspect could appear tough and to impress another friend.

The suspect is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated burglary.