PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 16-year-old from Norristown has been charged with third-degree murder after police say he fatally shot a young woman while he was “playing around” with a loaded gun.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said Victor Bell Jr. shot 23-year-old Diamond Rahatt in the head in her bedroom on Sunday afternoon.
According to the criminal complaint, Bell and Rahatt were longtime friends. Shortly before the shooting, Bell posted a video of himself playing with the gun, which was registered in Rahatt’s name.
Rahatt’s grandfather was home at the time and told police he saw Bell leave the bedroom moments after he heard the gunshot.
Rahatt died that evening at Paoli Hospital.
“Diamond Rahatt had her whole life ahead of her — a life cut short by the reckless handling of a gun,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. “The defendant was playing around and taking photos with a loaded gun without any regard for the danger and threat to human life the behavior posed. It was reckless and now a young woman is dead.”
Bell is charged with third-degree murder, possessing an instrument of crime, and manslaughter. If convicted as an adult, he could face a maximum of more than 40 years in prison.