Detroit -- A 12-year-old boy has been charged in the murder of a 24-year-old Davison woman who had come here for a job opportunity.

The incident happened just after midnight on Aug. 1 on West Outer Drive and Minock Street in Detroit, police said. According to witnesses, Trisha Babcock and a male friend were sitting in their car when the boy, Demarco Harris of Detroit, approached the vehicle and pointed a gun at Babcock.

"When she didn't respond to his demands, he shot her," Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans said at a press conference today. Police also are looking for another suspect.

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Babcock, who was struck in the chest, was taken to Sinai-Grace Hospital, where she died a short time later.

Warrens said the boy was charged as a juvenile but with adult designation -- meaning Judge Leslie Kim Smith, who will oversee his trial in Wayne County juvenile court, has wide discretion when it comes to sentencing.

If found guilty, the judge will have the option of sentencing Harris as a juvenile, as an adult or reviewing his conduct at age 19 and resentencing him as an adult or juvenile. As an adult, Harris could face life in prison.

"We have not charged him as an adult, but it is a case where we decided to adult-designate him," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, explaining how the designation allows a judge broad options in sentencing at the conclusion of a juvenile court trial.

"Because he is so young and the crime is so heinous, we wanted the judge to have full information and background to make an intelligent and complete decision as to sentencing," Worthy said.

Police used forensic evidence to link Harris to the murder, although Evans would not elaborate further. The boy's father turned him in to police on Friday.

Harris has an Aug. 26 preliminary examination before Smith in juvenile court at the Lincoln Hall of Justice.