CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A 14-year-old boy who is accused of shooting and killing a 12-year-old girl late last month made an appearance in Clearfield County court on Friday.
Aaron Klingensmith allegedly told state troopers that he pointed a gun at the girl and shot her on April 28th.
Klingensmith also allegedly told investigators that he has an understanding of guns and gun safety.
Authorities say he allegedly retrieved the gun from the top of a gun safe in the living room of a Brady Township home, along Bearfield Road.
Investigators say Klingensmith then pointed the gun at the girl, asking her if it was loaded or unloaded, before pulling the trigger.
On Friday, an emergency responder testified at Klingensmith’s preliminary hearing that she found the victim, who was later identified as 12-year-old Ashlyn Niver, on the living room couch with a gunshot wound close to her nose.
The responder says Niver was breathing at the time, before being taken to a local hospital and dying a few days later.
Officials allege that Klingensmith's father was the only person they saw at the scene.
When troopers asked him about what happened, Klingensmith's father reportedly said that he believes his son accidentally shot the girl, before tilting his head back and saying, "Oh God, I hope it was an accident,” according to the first responder.
A state trooper also testified Friday that Klingensmith reportedly demonstrated the ability to check if a gun is loaded, if bullets are in the magazine and how to unload a gun during an interview.
Klingensmith was initially charged as an adult with third-degree murder.
Prosecutors say that charge, and an involuntary manslaughter charge, are being withdrawn and is being replaced with a criminal homicide charge.
Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers says criminal homicide includes any degree of murder, as well as voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.
"It just gives the Commonwealth and the defense and the court more options, and eventually a jury to decide which charge they want to convict on."
Klingensmith is scheduled to be formally arraigned on June 5th.
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