Two-year-old Girl Unintentionally Shot and Killed with Stolen Gun

A 2-year-old girl was accidentally shot in the head and killed by her 14-year-old cousin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The toddler was at home with four adult relatives and three other children, when her cousin, who has developmental disabilities, found an unsecured loaded gun. The DA’s office says the gun used was reported stolen in South Carolina, and they believe the girl’s grandmother was the only one aware of a firearm in the home. She has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person.

The 14-year-old and his cousin were in an upstairs room of the home when the teen found his grandmother’s gun in an unlocked drawer or closet, law enforcement sources said.  “Please help me, please help me,” the girl’s mother yelled as she ran out of the house after the incident. “My baby’s been shot!”

“How many times have we been standing out here and talking about an issue of unsecured firearms and what this can lead to?” a police spokesperson asked. “This is yet another child whose life was tragically cut short.” 

The 14-year-old had little understanding of what he had done, officials said. But neighbors said he was distressed as police took him into custody that afternoon. “My fault. My fault,” he repeated, according to witnesses.

The toddler is one of 19 children 12 or younger who have been shot in Philadelphia this year — a total far higher than in any of the last five years.

Sources:

Ellie Rushing and Ximena Conde, “Neighbors Recall Heartbreaking Moments After a 2-year-old Girl was Fatally Shot by an Unsecured Gun,” Philadelphia Inquirer (July 28, 2023).

“Grandmother Facing Charges After 2-year-old Girl Fatally Shot Inside Philadelphia Home,” 6 ABC Action News (July 28, 2023).