A 15-year-old boy shot in his Staten Island apartment earlier this month has succumbed to his injuries — and authorities revealed Tuesday the trigger-puller was his older brother.

Steven Estevez was struck in the head on the second floor of the building on Thompson Street near Wright Street in Stapleton Heights around 11 p.m. on Feb. 16 – in what is being investigated as a possible accidental shooting, cops said. 

He was taken to Richmond University Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition. 

Police said he succumbed to his injuries the next day, though sources told the Staten Island Advance he was removed from life support last week. 

His 17-year-old brother — identified by his legal reps as David Estevez — was arrested around 9:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and hit with assault and weapons possession charges in connection to the incident, authorities said. 

Authorities said Tuesday the shooting may have been accidental, but did not provide any additional details.

A source with knowledge of the investigation told The Staten Island Advance that the older boy claimed he was playing with a silver gun when he accidentally shot his brother.

He then allegedly hid the gun, possibly because he was afraid, the source told the outlet.

David Estevez pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail during his arraignment, records show. He is set to return to court on March 6.

It was not immediately known whether charges against him would be upgraded.

He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society, who called the deadly incident an “incredibly tragic case.”

“Out of respect for our client, his family and community, we ask the public to refrain from drawing hasty conclusions and to respect the family’s privacy during this extraordinarily difficult time of mourning,” the organization said in statement. “We will have more to say about this case in the coming days, weeks and months after a thorough review and investigation.”

The slain teen attended Ralph R. McKee High School, and played on the junior varsity football team for McKee-Staten Island Technical High School, the Advance reported.