2nd UPDATE |
CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — State police are providing new details about Sunday's shooting in Brady Township, Clearfield County, that involved two juveniles.
According to the affidavit, police say the teenager charged in the shooting, 14-year-old Aaron Klingensmith, reportedly asked the victim if she wanted to see his dad's gun.
Investigators say Klingensmith then admitted to pickup up the Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm handgun and pointing it at the victim.
Troopers say Klingensmith then reportedly asked the victim if she thought the gun was "loaded or unloaded."
When the victim responded, authorities say Klingensmith reportedly pulled the trigger, striking the victim in the head.
Police say the victim, who has not been identified, was transported to the hospital.
Investigators say she was declared dead on Wednesday at UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Upon further investigation, troopers say they spoke with Klingensmith's father, who stated that the handgun was reportedly kept in a case, at the top of his gun cabinet.
Police say he also told troopers that he was unaware that his son knew that the gun was there.
Investigators say the father also stated that he kept his loaded magazines separate from his weapons and claimed that Klingensmith would have had to "chamber a round" into the gun prior to the shooting.
Authorities noted that Klingensmith allegedly had a knowledge of firearms and firearms safety.
Officials ruled the victim's death as a homicide, and Klingensmith has been charged, as an adult, with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
According to authorities, he is being transferred from the Clearfield County Prison to the Central Counties Youth Detention Center in Bellefonte.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 10th.
UPDATE |
Officials have identified the Clearfield County teen charged with murder in the shooting death of a 12-year-old girl on Sunday.
Court authorities say 14-year-old Aaron Klingensmith is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in Clearfield County court.
Investigators have not yet identified the victim of the shooting and further details about what lead to the fatal incident have not yet been released.
ORIGINAL |
Authorities in Clearfield County say a 14-year-old boy is being charged with murder in the shooting death of a 12-year-old girl over the weekend.
Investigators say on Sunday evening, troopers were dispatched to a residence along Bearfield Road, in Brady Township, for reports of a female juvenile who had been shot in the head.
Police say first responders attempted to "stabilize the victim" at the scene, before transporting her to Penn Highlands DuBois.
Investigators say the victim was then flown to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she later passed away on Wednesday.
Authorities say her preliminary cause of death has been ruled as blunt force trauma to the head as a result of a gunshot wound.
Upon further investigation, state police and the Clearfield County District Attorney's office charged the shooter, a 14-year-old boy, as an adult.
Officials say he is being charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
This is a heartbreaking and tragic shooting that occurred on Sunday evening in Brady Township,” said DA Sayers. “In the interest of justice, the difficult decision was made to charge this juvenile as an adult, instead of remaining in the juvenile system. I would also like to commend all of the Troopers with the State Police for their hard work, quick response, and thorough investigation in regard to this matter.Authorities have not yet identified the 14-year-old boy nor have they released details on what lead to the shooting.
Officials have also not commented on the relationship between the boy and the victim.
Stay with 6 News online and on-air for further updates.
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