Penn Hills Fatal Fire Ruled Homicide

PENN HILLS (KDKA) -- The death of 17-year-old girl in a fire at a Penn Hills home has been declared a homicide.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner says Teesa Williams was shot in the head; however, her cause of death was smoke inhalation.

Investigators believe she would have survived the gunshot wound. Williams also had several unexplained bruises on her body.

According to police, Williams' mother left for work at 6:30 a.m. The fire was reported around 9 a.m., so the crimes happened between that time.

No one knows why she didn't go to school. The girl's mother says she was dressed for school when she left.

Police will not say if there's a suspect or a person of interest, but say the investigation is ongoing.