PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police say a 16-year-old girl was shot and killed in North Philadelphia late Tuesday afternoon.
Officers responded to the 2400 block of Colorado Street, near 17th and York streets, just before 5:30 p.m. That's where they found the semiconscious victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died.
Chief Inspector Scott Small said investigators believe she may have accidentally shot herself.
"We don't know if someone in the room was handling the firearm when it discharged and shot her or if she was handling the firearm and she accidentally discharged and shot herself," Small said.
"We're not certain because we're getting different accounts from witnesses that were in the property."
Police brought an 18-year-old person of interest in for questioning. They said he was in the room with her when she was shot and that he is cooperating with the investigation. Officials said the victim did not live at the home where she was shot but often visited family and friends there.
Stay with KYW Newsradio as this story develops.