Police: 6-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Shot By Older Brother
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police say a 6-year-old child has died after being shot in the head by his older brother while the two were home alone in West Mifflin Wednesday morning.
Police got the initial call to the New Colony Mobile Home Park on Dover Lane around 9:45 a.m.
According to police, the young brothers were the only two in the home at the time. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identifies the victim as 6-year-old Julian Hoffman.
KDKA's Lynne Hayes-Freeland Reports --
"I believe the mother was at work, or enroute to work, and the mother's live-in boyfriend was not at the residence at the time," said Allegheny County Police Supt. Coleman McDonough.
Police say the 10-year-old brother had the 9mm gun when it discharged. The weapon is owned by their mother, and legally in her possession.
"It was in the mother's bedroom," McDonough said.
It's not clear yet where the gun was being stored or whether or not it was locked. But police say the 10-year-old boy is the one who called 911.
"The 10-year-old child called 911, after he had called his mother," McDonough said.
Police say Julian was rushed to Children's Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The investigation is continuing. Allegheny County Police say it's too early to tell whether charges will be filed in the case. They say that will be up to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.
"Every firearm should be treated as if it's loaded, every firearm should be secured with a gun lock. There are a lot of agencies out there that provide gun locks. There's really no excuse for a weapon to get in the hands of a child," McDonough said.
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