PENNS HILLS, PENNSYLVANIA – On November 22, 2021 at approximately 5:33 PM, officers of the Penn Hills
Police Department responded to a call of a shooting incident in the 100 block of the Prescott Drive.
The victim, a 5-year-old male, sustained a single gunshot wound and was transported to an area hospital
where he was pronounced deceased. Officers of the Penn Hills Police Department requested the
assistance of the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit, and both agencies investigated jointly.
Detectives determined that four children (ages 13, 6, 5, and 3) were left unsupervised while a loaded
and unsecured handgun was left within the reach of each child. It was later discovered, through the
investigative process, that the 13-year-old pointed the firearm at his 5-year-old sibling and pulled the
trigger while believing that the safety was on.
Based on the sequence of events, statements from individuals involved, and consultation with the
district attorney’s office, the 13-year-old juvenile will be charged with a general count of homicide.
Detectives are continuing to confer with prosecutors to determine whether the case will proceed in
adult criminal court or be transferred to the juvenile system. Detectives are also conferring with
prosecutors to determine the level of parental culpability, for which criminal charges are anticipated.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip line at
1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477); callers can remain anonymous. The department can also be
reached via its social media sites.