Toddler shot dead at home by teen who accidentally fired unsecured gun

27 July 2023 , 20:07

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The tragic event occurred on the 1600 block of N. 29th Street in Philadelphia.

A toddler lost her life on Thursday when a teenager inside the home gained access to an unsecured firearm and accidentally discharged it.

The teenager, 14, who is reported to have developmental disabilities, inadvertently fired the weapon, resulting in a fatal head injury to the two-year-old child.

The incident occurred on the 1600 block of N. 29th Street in Philadelphia. She was rushed to the hospital in a private vehicle, and was pronounced dead around 13.30pm. The police swiftly responded and recovered the firearm.

The connection between the two children involved in the incident has not been immediately established. According to police, a total of eight people were inside the home at the time of the shooting – including children aged 14, nine, two, and one.

The victim was a 2-year-old girl (Fox29)

Philadelphia Police Sgt. Eric Gripp told reporters at the scene that it appeared as though the 14-year-old was able to access an unsecured gun inside the home.

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Elsewhere in Philadelphia, police are investigating after an 18-year-old man was shot and killed in South Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Officers responded to the shooting in the area of 17th and Christian streets near the Christian Street YMCA just before 7.30pm.

Police located the 18-year-old at the scene, who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He has since been identified as Sadiq Dove, of 1300 block of S. Newkirk Street.

The accidental discharge of the firearm resulted in a fatal head injury to the 2-year-old girl (Getty Images)

Dove had been walking with a group of five other people, including a youth counselor, when three suspects pulled up in a car, got out, and shot at the victim, police said.

"Three males, shooters, were armed with guns. One was with what appeared to be a high-powered rifle and the other two with handguns. All three fired at the decedent. It appears even after he was down, they continued firing," said Inspector D.F. Pace with Philadelphia police.

Dove was transported to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. "It's just very concerning, you don't ever think it's going to happen on your block, but sure enough, this poor victim is right outside my home," local resident Audrey Rich told ABC.

Lucy Williamson