14-year-old girl killed in accidental shooting inside home: Police

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) -- A 14-year-old girl was fatally shot Thursday afternoon in what police believe was an accidental shooting inside her home, leaving family members and neighbors shaken.

"It was so very sad that I had to see this happen to the special little girl," a neighbor said.

Upper Darby police said four juveniles were alone in the house when they found a handgun. According to investigators, the teens were playing with the weapon in a bedroom when it discharged, striking the girl in the head.

"My heart goes out to the family and the child," neighbor Aspara Agyeman said.

Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said investigators are interviewing the juveniles who were present.

"We are speaking with those juveniles currently. We are trying to determine exactly what happened," he said.

A neighbor told police he heard a single gunshot from the home on the 100 block of Springton Road and immediately called 911.

"It was a neighbor to me, so I wanted to make sure everything was alright," he said.

Body camera audio captured officers being told, "You're going to have to make entry. There may be a female shot inside."

Police arrived around 1:40 p.m. and rushed the middle school student to the hospital. She was later pronounced dead.

"We hate to see a young person who had their whole life ahead of them that now their life is gone," Agyeman said.

Bernhardt urged families to secure firearms to prevent similar tragedies.

"I wish kids would realize the danger of a firearm, and here is an incident no one can take back. You don't get a redo. Someone lost their life, and three other juveniles are going to have to live with this," he said.

He added that the department provides free gun locks and safes to township residents who need one.

Police are still working to determine who owns the gun and who was holding it when it fired. No charges have been filed.

The school district said counselors will be available on Friday for students at Beverly Hills Middle School.