12-Year-Old Boy Shot In Strawberry Mansion
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia police are trying to figure out how a 12-year-old boy ended up shot early Thursday morning. Officers were called to the 3400 block of Ridge Avenue in Strawberry Mansion just after 12:30 a.m.
That's where police found an injured child sitting outside a home. He was shot in the leg.
Investigators say that child was conscious and able to speak with police.
"This 12-year-old was not certain where the shooting happened," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. "But police found blood on the front steps.., and a blood trail leading into the house."
Once inside, police found what investigators are describing as a crime scene in an upstairs bedroom.
On a bed, they found blood and a bullet.
"It appears that this 12-year-old may have been hanging without friends inside this property, more specifically, inside the third-floor front bedroom because we found some food, some pizza, some french fries," Small said.
At least three other children were at the home when the shooting happened. But police say there were no adults on scene when officers initially arrived.
Meantime, it's still unclear where the weapon came from.
Police though say the preliminary investigation has revealed that the child shot himself.
Central detectives are still investigating.
The child was transferred to St. Christopher's Hospital for treatment. He is in stable condition.
For a list of gun violence resources in Philadelphia, click here.
