14-year-old shot to death in McKeesport

McKEESPORT, Pa. — A 14-year-old was shot and killed Tuesday in McKeesport, police said.

Allegheny County emergency dispatchers received a call about 2:30 p.m. reporting shots fired in the 1300 block of Ridge Street. Police and paramedics who responded found the boy dead at the scene, Allegheny County police said.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the boy as William Chaffin. He was a student at McKeesport Area High School.

Sources told Channel 11 News that Chaffin was shot inside a home with a shotgun that he might have brought there. The gun most likely accidentally fired when Chaffin and a 19-year-old who lives in the house were handling it.

Chaffin and the 19-year-old were the only people in the house at the time, according to sources.

The 19-year-old, a friend of Chaffin, was questioned Tuesday night by police, but has not been charged, Channel 11's Catherine Varnum reported.

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office will determine what, if any, charges might be filed.

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In the hours after the shooting, dozens of family members and friends, including many children, gathered to pray in front of the home. Church leaders were also there, and a deacon said Chaffin just dedicated his life to their church last weekend.

Lucy Fairyz said Chaffin was friendly with her children.

“He was always nice to my kids, who are smaller than him. I never, never had to worry about them when they were outside playing football together. He was closer with my older ones, but he was a really nice kid,” Fairyz said.

McKeesport Area School District Superintendent Rula Skezas issued the following statement:

"The McKeesport Area School District is saddened by this senseless act of violence in our community. We will continue to work closely with all law enforcement agencies during their investigation of this tragedy. The safety of our students is our first priority both inside and outside of our school buildings. We remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure safety for our students in all aspects of their lives."

Forensic investigators and the medical examiner remained at the scene into the evening.

Some neighbors told Channel 11 News that the home has had problems. More than two dozen bullet holes could be seen in the home from a shooting earlier in the year.

Anyone with information about Tuesday’s shooting is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit at 412-473-1300.

Cox Media Group