A 14-year-old Upper Darby Township student died Thursday after being shot while kids were reportedly playing with a gun inside a home, according to school officials. The loss has rattled families across the Upper Darby School District, which has shifted counselors and student-support staff to nearby Beverly Hills Middle School as police continue their investigation.
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, the district said it is working with Upper Darby police as investigators look into the circumstances of the May 14 incident. NBC10 reported that student-service professionals would be on site at Beverly Hills Middle School on Friday for any students seeking help.
What investigators have said
As reported by 6abc, the apparent accidental shooting took place on the 100 block of Springton Road. The station said four juveniles, two boys and two girls, were inside the home when the gun went off. A 14-year-old girl was struck in the head and later died. Investigators told reporters they are still working to determine who fired the weapon and how the gun ended up in the home.
School district response
The Upper Darby School District urged families to confront the issue of firearms directly with their children. “We urge you to discuss with your children the seriousness of playing with guns and the potential consequences,” the district said, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. Officials noted that counselors and pupil-services staff would be available for students and families while police continue their work on the case.
A common and preventable tragedy
National numbers put this local heartbreak into grim perspective. Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, and many unintentional shootings happen at home. Everytown for Gun Safety reports that nearly 22,000 children and teens are shot and killed or wounded each year. Surveillance data from the CDC has also shown increases in firearm injuries in recent years. Public-health advocates say that is why secure storage and prevention efforts are so heavily emphasized.
How parents and caregivers can reduce risk
Pediatric specialists point to a few straightforward steps that can dramatically cut the odds of a tragedy. The most effective is removing firearms from the home altogether. When that is not an option, experts stress keeping guns unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that clinicians talk with families about removing firearms or making sure they are securely stored, and notes that devices such as trigger locks and lockboxes can help reduce risk.
Legal context
Authorities have not said whether anyone might face criminal charges in connection with the shooting. In Pennsylvania, prosecutors sometimes use statutes such as 18 Pa.C.S. 4304, which covers endangering the welfare of children, when an adult’s conduct is alleged to have exposed a child to danger. The full text and grading of that law are available through the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
What’s next
Upper Darby police are continuing their investigation, and the school district has urged families to keep an eye on official district communications for updates. Investigators are still trying to determine who fired the gun and how it was obtained, 6abc reported.
