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Girl killed in accidental shooting inside Philly home, police say – NBC10 Philadelphia
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Girl killed in accidental shooting inside Philly home, police say – NBC10 Philadelphia

Editor’s note: Philadelphia police initially said the child was 5 years old. They later revealed that the child was 7 years old.

Two people are in custody after a young woman was killed in an accidental shooting inside a Philadelphia home Sunday afternoon, police said.

Police were called to a home on the 3800 block of First Street around 2:30 p.m. for a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found a 7-year-old girl who had been shot in the face. The girl was taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 2:39 p.m

Police have not yet released the girl’s identity.

Investigators said it appears there were two adults on the first floor of the home and three young children — including the victim — on the second floor of the home at the time of the shooting.

Philadelphia Police Inspector DF Pace told NBC10 that the shooting appears to have been accidental and that the 7-year-old girl either picked up the gun and accidentally shot herself, or a 2-year-old child inside the home accidentally shot her.

Pace said both the owner of the gun and the homeowner are in custody and charges are pending further investigation.

Pace also said that it is not yet clear if the victim lived at the home and if the two people in custody are related to her.

“There is still a lot more information that we need to gather to determine what criminal charges may be filed against any of these individuals,” Pace told NBC10. “There will be a lot of discussions with the district attorney’s office to determine what is appropriate in this case.”

Pace also had a message for gun owners.

“Responsible gun ownership dictates that firearms should be kept safe and out of the reach of small children,” he said.

If you have any information about the incident, please call Philadelphia Police.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.