14-year-old boy injured in possible accidental shooting in North Philadelphia.
A 14-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound in what is being investigated as a potential accidental shooting involving another teenager in North Philadelphia on Thursday evening, according to law enforcement officials.
Around 5:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence located on the 1500 block of North Street. Upon arrival, they discovered the teenager suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. Chief Inspector Scott Small provided an update, stating that the victim was conscious and able to walk and talk at the scene. He was subsequently transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
The incident reportedly took place in a front bedroom on the third floor of the residence. Investigators found a spent shell casing and evidence of blood at the scene, indicating that a firearm had indeed been discharged. Witnesses to the event mentioned that several teenagers were present at the gathering when one boy, a peer of the victim, was reportedly handling the gun when it discharged unintentionally.
As the situation unfolded, the individual who was handling the firearm fled the scene, prompting a search for his whereabouts. It has been confirmed that the injured teen does not reside at the location where the shooting occurred but is known to visit frequently.
As of late Thursday, authorities had not located the firearm involved in the incident. It remains unclear whether the weapon was removed from the property or hidden somewhere within the residence. To further probe the circumstances surrounding the shooting, detectives are seeking a search warrant for the house.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding gun safety, particularly among youth, and has raised questions about access to firearms in residential areas. Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the shooting, as community members express apprehension about safety in their neighborhoods. This event serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with firearms, especially among minors.
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