Gwinnett County police arrested a 16-year-old girl suspected of accidentally shooting and killing a 19-year-old man just after midnight Thursday.
Police said the teen irresponsibly handled a firearm and unintentionally shot the victim, identified as Dominic Smith of Lawrenceville.
About six other teenagers witnessed the shooting in the 1600 block of Balvaird Drive in Lawrenceville, but they fled the scene, Gwinnett police Cpl. Deon Washington said in an emailed statement.
The teen suspect then put Smith in her car and attempted to drive him to Gwinnett Medical Center, Washington said.
She allegedly swerved to avoid a Lawrenceville cop and was stopped on West Pike and Buchanan streets after a 2-mile pursuit. Police discovered Smith wounded in the back of the car.
He was taken to the hospital, where he died, Washington said.
“This is a very tragic and unfortunate situation that could have been avoided,” he said in the statement. “It highlights one of the worst situations that could happen when teens unlawfully handle firearms.”
The teen suspect was charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and possession of a pistol by a minor. She was being held at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Gwinnett police homicide unit at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.
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