ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Two juveniles have been charged in connection with a shooting that critically injured a female teenager in Allentown, authorities said Monday.
The girl remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition after being shot in the face in the early hours of Saturday, according to a news release from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca.
Police were called to the 100 block of Pine Street shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday and found the victim with a gunshot wound. She was taken to a local hospital.
Witnesses told officers that several juveniles were hanging out in a bedroom at the time of the incident. One of the juveniles had a .380-caliber handgun in his fanny pack.
The male juvenile was showing the gun to others and told them it wasn’t loaded before handing it to a female juvenile. She allegedly pointed the weapon around the room and pulled the trigger, striking the victim in the face.
The juveniles fled the scene, but one returned to render aid and called 911, officials said. The male juvenile with the gun allegedly threatened the shooter not to speak to police and also fled.
The male suspect, of Lansford, is charged with intimidation of witnesses or victims, possession of a firearm by a minor, carrying a firearm without a license, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and five counts of reckless endangerment.
The female suspect, of Allentown, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a minor, and reckless endangerment.
The suspects’ names have not been released because they are minors. The investigation is ongoing.
Authorities emphasize that the charges are accusations and both juveniles are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
