A tragic incident occurred in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, where a 14-year-old boy is accused of fatally shooting a 12-year-old girl. Aaron Klingensmith faces charges of third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the shooting that took place in Brady Township.
The shooting occurred on April 28, and first responders were called to the scene around 7:30 p.m. The victim, a 12-year-old girl, was initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries on May 1.
According to reports, the 14-year-old boy admitted to police that he was showing the girl his father’s 9mm handgun and asked if it was loaded before pulling the trigger. The girl was struck, and the boy went to inform his father of the incident.
The father explained to law enforcement that he kept the gun in a case on top of his gun cabinet, clarifying that while he loaded magazines, he never placed a bullet in the chamber.
Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers expressed the gravity of the situation, describing it as a heartbreaking and tragic shooting. The decision to charge the juvenile as an adult was made in the interest of justice, reflecting the severity of the incident.
The State Police are commended for their swift response and thorough investigation into the matter. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of firearm safety and responsible gun ownership.