Teen to be charged with 3rd-degree murder after girl accidentally shot and killed in Upper Darby

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) -- A 14-year-old boy will be charged with third-degree murder after an accidental shooting inside an Upper Darby home left a teenage girl dead.

The boy will be charged as an adult, police told Action News on Friday. Investigators say they determined he had the gun in his hand based on witness interviews.

No one else is facing charges. The name of the teen being charged has not been released.

The shooting happened as a group of friends gathered inside a home on Thursday afternoon, along the 100 block of Springton Road.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said investigators believe a group of friends, which included two boys and two girls, were hanging out at the home. He says they got hold of a gun in the house, and it went off while they were playing with it in the upstairs bedroom.

Officials say a single bullet was fired, striking the victim in the head.

"What we do know is that it wasn't like this was an act of violence, it wasn't like this was a fight, it wasn't a dispute," said Bernhardt.

According to the criminal complaint, the 14-year-old boy told detectives that he knew the victim's mother kept a handgun in her bedroom closet. They took the gun and eventually went to the victim's bedroom, where the shooting unfolded. A witness told police she heard the boy say, "Oh my God, I just killed her!"

Bernhardt said the girl's mother is still trying to process the loss. He emphasized the dangers of unsecured firearms, noting that the township provides free gun locks to adults.

"There's no redo when it comes to guns. Once a life is taken, it cannot be taken back," Bernhardt said. He added that the boy is being charged "for his extreme recklessness with playing with that handgun."

"Kids need to realize guns are not toys," he added. "A bad decision, a careless moment has forever changed the lives of our victim's family, those three other juveniles that were there, their families and our entire community."

It was a somber start to the day on Friday, as students, parents and staff returned to Beverly Hills Middle School, where officials say the victim was a student.

"It's a sad thing for the parents, so I really feel sorry for everybody," said Samantha Myers from Upper Darby.

The school district also made grief counselors available.

Neighbors expressed shock and sadness as they learned of the charges and the girl's death.

"That's a lot for a 14-year-old, but he has to suffer the consequences," said neighbor Ida McKnight. "We all know what guns do, and he knows what guns do."

Another neighbor said, "I feel real bad and sad that this happened to the little girl."

"It's a shame that it happened. I feel sorry for the family. I really feel sorry for the mom," McKnight added.

She said neighbors plan to support the family, saying, "We all live as one. We should show love to each other. It's about love and happiness."

Police said the teen was arraigned Friday night and remains behind bars.