'Children playing with a gun' leads to 14-year-old girl fatally shot in Upper Darby
The girl, a student at Beverly Hills Middle School, was at home when she was shot in the head, authorities said. Other "kids" were being interviewed by police.
A 14-year-year student at Beverly Hills Middle School in Upper Darby died Thursday after she was shot in the head at her home during an incident described as “children playing with a gun,” authorities said.
Police were called to the 100 block of Springton Road around 1:45 p.m. for the report of a shooting and found the girl in a rear bedroom with a gun next to her, police said.
The girl was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
“All four kids inside at the time have been identified and are cooperating with the investigation,” said Timothy M. Bernhardt, the township’s police superintendent.
“At this point, it appears to be accidental but we are still interviewing,” Bernhardt said.
Daniel P. McGarry, superintendent of the Upper Darby School District, said in a letter to district families that a student “lost their life as a result of a gunshot wound while in their home.”
McGarry said that authorities believed “that the gunshot was a result of children playing with a gun.”
He said the district was working closely with police as the investigation continued.
“We urge you to discuss with your children the seriousness of playing with guns and the potential consequences,” McGarry said.
The district will have student service professionals available on Friday at Beverly Hills Middle School for any student who may need support, McGarry said.
“Please keep the student’s family, friends, and the community in your thoughts during this tragic time,” he said.
— Staff writer Kristen A. Graham contributed to this article.
