Boy, 14, charged in shooting death of 12-year-old brother in West Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged after he allegedly shot his 12-year-old brother inside a West Philadelphia home, police said.

Philadelphia police say the teen was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The District Attorney's Office said the case is being handled by the juvenile court system.

"Therefore, we are prohibited to give additional details," the D.A.'s office said.

The 12-year-old has been identified as Nashon Thomas.

Officers responded just after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to the 800 block of Brooklyn Street.

When they arrived, they found the young victim lying in his bed, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

The child was then rushed to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said they believe his brother pulled the trigger.

The 14-year-old was brought to homicide for questioning, along with his mother.

It's still unclear how the teen got the gun.

"Right now, we're going to try to determine why this gun was in the house and who the gun belongs to," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

Small said the only adult in the home was a woman in her late 30s who, police believe, is the mother of both children involved.

Police said three other children were also in the home at that time.

"There were about six people in the property at the time. The only adult was the mother, who is in her late 30s, but there were some very, very young children, about three or four years of age," Small said.

Their mother is not facing charges at this time.