Pennsylvania teen being charged as an adult in the death of a 12-year-old girl

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. — A 12-year-old girl is dead, and a 14-year-old boy is in custody after police she was shot in the head while the teen was showing her a gun.

According to sister station WTAJ , the shooting happened on April 28, around 7:30 p.m., in Brady Township, where first responders were called for a gunshot wound to the head.

WTAJ says the girl was given medical aid and transported to Penn Highlands DuBois before being flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.

It is reported that on May 1, at 8:28 a.m., she was pronounced dead. WTAJ reports the cause of death is being preliminarily ruled as “blunt force trauma to the head as a result of a gunshot wound.”

According to WTAJ, the 14-year-old teen, Aaron Klingensmith, told police he was showing the girl his father’s 9mm handgun and asked “Loaded or not loaded?” He then pulled the trigger.

WTAJ says he saw the girl drop and went to tell his father. The criminal complaint shows that the father claimed he kept the gun in the original gun case on top of the gun cabinet, with a loaded magazine, but never a round in the chamber.

WTAJ reports that District Attorney Ryan Sayers charged Klingensmith as an adult with:

• One count: Murder of the 3rd degree
• One count: Involuntary manslaughter
• Two counts: Aggravated assault
• One count: Recklessly endangering another person

According to WTAJ, Sayers said it was a difficult decision to charge the juvenile as an adult. He also commended the Troopers with the State Police for their hard work and quick response in the investigation.

The Pennsylvania State Police are being assisted by the Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County Juvenile Probation, and Clearfield and Jefferson County Children and Youth Services offices.

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