CLAIRTON (KDKA) – A teenager lost her life in a shooting in Clairton early Sunday morning.

According to Allegheny County Police, the incident happened in the 600-block of Park Avenue around 1 a.m.

A group of teens had gotten together for a party and were drinking beer in the garage of the home.

Gerron Chaney, 18, allegedly passed a handgun around for people to look at. He took the gun back to load it and while he was doing so, the gun fired a single shot.

The bullet struck 17-year-old Karrie Linnen in the chest.

“There are no words that you can even say, I’m speechless, I’m speechless,” Ychel Brooks said.

“I think it’s a shame that these kids are involved in gun play and drinking. it has to [stop somewhere]. I feel so bad for the family,” the suspect’s father, Gregory Chaney, said.

Linnen was about to begin her senior year at Clairton High School. She was planning to go to college, but her life was ended by what appears to be careless handling of a loaded weapon.

People who knew her can’t believe she’s gone.

“Karrie was a sweetheart. She was like my niece, one of my daughter’s best friends, a lifetime friend,” Denise Johnson said. “She will be missed dearly.”

Meanwhile, Gerron Chaney was arrested and charged with homicide and recklessly endangering other people. So far, police have not been able to find the weapon.

“We just want to let everybody know it was an accident. We hope the families can get over this,” Chaney said.

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