Child shot, killed by older brother; death ruled homicide

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WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — TRENDING NOW:

Investigators said after shooting his younger brother, the 10-year-old called his mother first and she told him to hang up and call 911, which he did.  Police believe this was an accident.

Police have not ruled out charges against the children's mother, who they say was at work at the time of the shooting.

Police said once they gather all the facts they will meet with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office to determine if criminal charges will be filed.  Police are still trying to determine how the shooting happened, but investigators said it happened in their mother's bedroom.

Neighbors told Channel 11 the family had only been living there for a few months. They said they heard what sounded like gunshots, then saw ambulances outside of the mobile home.

"He (a paramedic) had the child in his arms," neighbor Dean Rump said. "He set the child down on the gurney. They put a blanket on him and then put him in the ambulance. ... I just said, 'Please God, help the family."

Investigators say the scene inside the mobile home brought tears to the eyes of veteran police officers.

Julian was just weeks away from starting first grade at Emerson Elementary School. West Mifflin Area School District superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna issued the following statement to staff: