Girl Fatally Shot by 14-year-old Boy Playing with Gun

A 14-year-old girl was killed in an accidental shooting inside her home in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. A 14-year-old boy, who was determined to be holding the gun when it fired, was arrested, and will be charged as an adult with third-degree murder.

A group of friends hanging out at the home, took a gun that belonged to the victim’s mother from her bedroom closet. They were playing with it in the victim’s bedroom when it fired, striking the girl in the head. According to a witness, the 14-year-old boy said “[o]h my God, I just killed her!” 

The district where the girl attended middle school will make counselors available to offer support. The police superintendent said the girl’s mother is struggling with the loss. He added that the boy is being charged “for his extreme recklessness with playing with that handgun.” “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.”

Source:

Briana Smith, “Teen to be Charged With 3rd-degree Murder After Girl Accidentally Shot and Killed in Upper Darby,” 6abc.com (May 16, 2026).