"Skunk" Shooting Leaves Girl Injured
By: Amy Marcinkiewicz
Updated: October 23, 2012
An 8-year-old girl was accidentally shot Saturday night outside a Beaver County, Pennsylvania home according to police.
Police said the girl, dressed in a black costume with a white tassel, was on a hillside near a home on Brewer Road.
Family members said they had recently been having problems with a skunk.
The girl's mother said a cousin fired a gun at what he thought was the skunk and accidentally shot the girl in the shoulder.
"There were reports of a skunk in the area. It was bothering the partygoers. He went and got a shotgun, using a flashlight, and shot something over the hill," said Chief Ron Leindecker of New Sewickley police.
The victim was flown to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she underwent surgery.
"It's a shame. It's just horrible what happened," said neighbor James Brandleberger.
Family members said they're devastated. The cousin has not been charged.
Police said the girl, dressed in a black costume with a white tassel, was on a hillside near a home on Brewer Road.
Family members said they had recently been having problems with a skunk.
The girl's mother said a cousin fired a gun at what he thought was the skunk and accidentally shot the girl in the shoulder.
"There were reports of a skunk in the area. It was bothering the partygoers. He went and got a shotgun, using a flashlight, and shot something over the hill," said Chief Ron Leindecker of New Sewickley police.
The victim was flown to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she underwent surgery.
"It's a shame. It's just horrible what happened," said neighbor James Brandleberger.
Family members said they're devastated. The cousin has not been charged.
