Darby Borough Police: Shooting death of 14-year-old boy appears to have been accidental

DARBY BOROUGH, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A 14-year-old Delaware County boy died Tuesday night after he shot himself in an incident that police say appears to have been accidental.

"This is looking like a very tragic accident," Darby Borough Police Chief Joseph Gabe told KYW Newsradio.

Gabe said the boy was handling a gun inside a house in the 400 block of Darby Terrace around 10:15 p.m. when he apparently shot himself in the abdomen.

"We were notified immediately by a family member that called 911," Gabe said. "All we know right now is that the incident occurred in the house. There were some family members in the house. There was nothing going on outside the house."

The 14-year-old, whose name has not been released, was rushed to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where he died just after 11 p.m. Gabe would not say who owned the gun, but he said police were questioning everyone who was in the house.

"We need to be more careful with leaving our firearms unattended in houses and residences," Gabe said. "I also want to put out there that there is no threat to the community."

No charges have been filed as police continue their investigation.