15-Year-Old Dies After Being Shot Accidentally
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A group of young teens started playing with a gun inside a south Baltimore home when the weapon went off, striking a 15-year-old in the head.
Weijia Jiang spoke with detectives and the victim's family and friends.
South Baltimore's Cherry Hill community is reeling after a 15-year-old boy was shot in the head and killed Saturday morning. It happened in the 2400 block of Seamon Avenue. Violent crime is nothing new to the area, but this time, police say it was a senseless accident that claimed a life.
"There was some sort of sleepover, children playing in the home. They located a weapon and began playing with it," said Baltimore Police Detective Kevin Brown.
Police say the victim was the oldest in a group of kids playing with a gun that someone fired. They have not released the age of the shooter, but neighbors say it's a 10-year-old who lives in the house with his uncle.
"I just thought about my grandkids, they coulda been around 'cause all of 'em play together," said Javerlyn Barnes. "It's got me upset, it really does. I've been upset all day long."
Family friends say the young victim does not live in Cherry Hill. He was visiting his mom for the weekend; she lives around the corner.
"I can't explain it; I've never seen her the way she is. She's a very good friend," said Kimberly Orellana.
Orellana rushed to Shock Trauma with the victim's family, who she describes as "distraught." The pain is still fresh, though a new emotion is brewing: anger over why and how young kids had access to a gun.
"The parents should not have had the guns out like that, should have had the guns locked up somewhere. Anything can happen to the kid; he could have shot hisself," said Gary Mack.
Police are not releasing any names yet. The neighborhood is planning a vigil and fundraiser for the family, likely sometime Sunday evening at the scene.
As of Saturday evening, no charges have been filed in connection with the gun.
