MONROEVILLE — Monroeville Police responded to the Cambridge Square Apartments to investigate a shooting on Friday night and when officers arrived, a 3-year-old female was found with a gunshot wound.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office identified the victim at Braya Sanders, of Monroeville. She was taken to Forbes Hospital, where she later died.
Detectives believe the child’s sibling, a 5-year-old, was handling an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot their sister.
Allegheny County Police tell Channel 11 the firearm is legally owned by a person who lives in the residence and that person is cooperating with the investigation.
“A parent was present and when our investigative file is completed it will be turned over to the district attorney’s office for review.”
On Monday, residents in the community reacted to the tragedy, and expressed their concern over the alleged access the child had to a firearm.
“It starts at home; and if we be better concerned parents and pay more attention to our interactions, then we will be better for the community,” said James Bailey, Pittsburgh minister.
Governor Tom Wolf tweeted about proposed gun safety legislation on Monday; specifically pointing out the need to reduce shooting by children and people who should not have access to firearms.
“In Pennsylvania since January, we believe that this incident in Monroeville would have been the fifth similar situation to children in Pennsylvania finding a firearm and either unintentionally harming themselves or others,” said Amy Sarno, Pennsylvania State Leaders for SMART Kids.
SMART Kids is a public health campaign from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
Their main message is for gun owners to keep their firearms secure.
The organization provides gun locks at no cost to firearm owners.
“Store their firearms locked unloaded and separate from the ammunition. Make sure keys to locks and things like that are secure in a place where children cannot access them,” said Sarno.
As of Monday, no charges have been filed against the parent who owned the gun.
Investigators tell Channel 11 they are in the process of compiling all of the information in the case, which will be handed over to the district attorney’s office.
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