Man Arrested In Young Girl's Shooting Claims Gun 'Started Going Crazy'
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A man arrested in connection with a shooting that left a young girl critically injured claims he was trying to scare off another man when his gun "started going crazy."
According to police, the shooting happened around 11 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Grimes Avenue and Zara Street, in the city's Knoxville neighborhood.
Isis Allen, 6, was walking with an adult babysitter when she was shot in the head. She remains in critical condition at Children's Hospital.
The suspect, 19-year-old Kamau Thomas, Jr., of Carrick, was taken into custody Sunday night.
According to court papers, Thomas said he was in the area for a fight between two women. While he was there, he claimed another man made threatening gestures towards him. He claims the man had shot at him about a month ago and believed he had a gun at the fight.
After the fight broke up, Thomas said he returned to the area with the intention to scare off the other man.
Thomas reportedly told police he fired a shot into the air towards the roof of the home and when he brought the gun down the trigger was "sensitive" and the gun "started going crazy, and kept going off until (the magazine) was empty."
Witnesses said they heard three to five shots.
Thomas Jr. said he got the gun from an acquaintance. After firing the shots, Thomas ran and ditched the gun.
Thomas is facing a list of charges including one count of criminal attempted homicide and 12 counts of reckless endangerment, as well as charges of aggravated assault and carrying a firearm without a license.
Meanwhile, family, friends and neighbors held a vigil for the girl Monday night.
A prayer vigil will be held at Lighthouse Church from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
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