Police: Teen’s death an accident

Shot in McKeesport by his cousin during struggle over shotgun

Authorities believe a 14-yearold killed Tuesday inside a McKeesport home was accidentally shot by his cousin.

The alleged shooter, a 19year-old man, told authorities that Will Chaffin showed up at his home on Ridge Street with a shotgun Tuesday afternoon.

The 19-year-old said he told Will he was too young to have a gun and when he tried to grab the weapon, it fired. The blast struck Will in the chest at pointblank range.

The two were alone in the home when the shooting occurred. McKeesport police were dispatched at 2:35 p.m., according to Allegheny County Police. In the initial 911 call, the caller indicated Will was shot outside the home and then ran inside, but sources said Wednesday that Will’s injuries were too severe for him to have run after being shot.

The 19-year-old stayed at the scene after the shooting. He was questioned by investigators but has not been charged in Will’s death or publicly identified.

Allegheny County Police said Tuesday that all the people “involved during the incident have been identified” and that District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. will determine whether criminal charges will be filed.

Will — called “Lil Will” by family and friends — was an eighth-grader. Tim Brown, assistant principal of McKeesport Area High School, said he had

known Will for years and found him to be upbeat, active and “always smiling.” Will played basketball and football, he said.

He would not have expected Will to have a shotgun. “It surprises me,” he said. But the house where Will was killed has a history of trouble. Months ago, someone fired more than two dozen shots into the small, two-story home in the city’s Seventh Ward. No one was injured, but bullet holes still can be seen on the structure.

Allegheny County officials on Wednesday could not provide a list of past calls for police, medical and fire service at the home.

McKeesport Area School District superintendent Rula Skezas said in a statement that district officials would work with law enforcement during the investigation of the shooting.

“The safety of our students is our first priority both inside and outside of our school buildings,” she said. “We remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure safety for our students in all aspects of their lives.”