Police investigating accidental shooting of teenager in West Oak Lane

Investigators say the 16-year-old male found his father's gun inside the house.

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Friday, August 6, 2021
Teenager accidentally shoots himself in West Oak Lane: Police
Philadelphia police say a 16-year-old accidentally shot himself in the thigh outside his West Oak Lane home.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A teenager is in stable condition after police say he accidentally shot himself in Philadelphia's West Oak Lane neighborhood.

Police responded to the 1400 block of 68th Avenue just after 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

Arriving officers and medics found a 16-year-old male inside his home suffering from a gunshot wound to the thigh.

Medics took the teen to the hospital for treatment.

SEE ALSO: Boyfriend says gun accidentally went off inside NE Philly home, girlfriend killed: Police

Investigators say the 16-year-old male found his father's gun inside the house and took it outside onto the front steps when it fired one shot.

"It appears to be accidental at this time," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

The father was not home at the time of the shooting. But, police say, other family members were inside the home.

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