Girl’s shooting unlikely to lead to police charges

STAFF REPORT

MERCER, Pa. — The Mercer County district attorney says charges aren’t likely to be filed in the shooting of a 10-year-old girl.

District Attorney Robert Kochems said the shooting is still under investigation, and he would not release any details other than to say it was an accident.

He would not release the child’s name. State police, who investigated, also would not release her name.

Police and Kochems met Friday to consider charges in the case.

“We’re treating this as an accidental shooting,” Kochems said. “We don’t anticipate charges being filed.”

The girl was shot in the head by a 15-year-old male relative at a home on Rutledge Road in Delaware Township around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

The handgun involved in the shooting belongs to the homeowner, who is related to the children, police said. No adults were in the house at the time.

The girl was taken by private vehicle to UPMC Farrell and was transferred to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she remained in critical condition Friday afternoon, a hospital spokesman said.