A 13-year-old boy shot and killed his younger sister earlier this week, prompting authorities to charge the boy in adult criminal court, WCAU-TV reports.
The incident occurred Friday morning in Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania, when Daisy Vasquez asked her son, Jah’sir, to get her 9-millimeter pistol out of her vehicle.
Surveillance footage obtained by investigators shows Jah’sir entering the residence and holding the gun in his right hand. He then points it at his 12-year-old sister, Jasiyah. Moments later, the gun discharges at point-blank range in Jasiyah’s chest and she collapses.
Police were called to the home around 7:50 a.m. Friday; Jasiyah was found dead on the floor of the living room before officers arrived. Jah’sir has been arrested and is being held without bail on a charge of third-degree murder.
In a statement, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said state law requires the boy to be charged in adult court.
“We followed the evidence in this case, which clearly showed that the 13-year-old shot and killed his sister. Despite the child’s age, Pennsylvania law requires that we charge Jah’sir Vasquez in adult criminal court for the shooting death of his sister,” Steele said in a statement, according to the television station.
Authorities have not discussed any potential motive for the killing or whether it was accidental. The gun is registered legally with the mother, Daisy Vasquez, although authorities have not said whether she also could face charges.
The Montgomery County Coroner conducted an autopsy on the girl and ruled her death a homicide, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for the coming week.
Upper Providence Township is about 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
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