ST. PETERSBURG, FL- In a St. Petersburg home on Saturday night, authorities report that a 14-year-old girl was shot and killed by a 17-year-old boy who later shot himself. The incident took place in a house at the 2000 block of Grove Park Avenue North, where the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office responded after a 911 call around 8:47 p.m.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered the two teenagers, each with gunshot wounds to the head. The boy was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 10:16 p.m.
According to the preliminary investigation, the teenage boy had been staying at the house to care for the owner’s dog while he was away. He had invited two girls, including the 14-year-old victim, to hang out at the house around 4 a.m., having met them on a social media platform a month prior. An 18-year-old friend of the older teen also joined them. The group consumed alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine throughout the day.
Detectives report that the 17-year-old started brandishing a gun belonging to the homeowner, leading to all the teenagers playing with it and taking pictures. When a consensual sexual encounter he had sparked a verbal argument, the boy became upset.
Law enforcement officials state that he walked up to the 14-year-old while she was discussing the argument with the other girl, pointed the gun at her head, and shot her. Afterward, he turned the gun on himself.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office revealed that an autopsy will be performed in order to determine the cause and manner of death. The next of kin have been notified, and the investigation is ongoing.