Victorville

15-Year-Old Boy Shoots, Kills Teen Girl by Accident: Sheriff's Dept.

A 15-year-old boy was booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter Monday after he allegedly shot and killed a 16-year-old girl by accident, authorities said.

The incident happened Sunday evening before sheriff's deputies were called to the 14400 block of Moon Valley Street in Victorville about 8:30 p.m. for reports of a girl shot in a residence, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Dakota Washington, 16, was inside with a gunshot wound to the chest, officials said. She died at a hospital.

"I love her," Dakota's sister Charee Gardner said. "Everybody knows she's a sweet outgoing person ... She is truly going to be missed."

Gardner said a group of family members and friends went to a Wal-Mart to buy BB guns they planned to use in a music video, which was being filmed inside Dakota's home. Gardner said that, to her knowledge, the teens were playing with the BB guns and somehow the boy got his hands on a real gun and shot Dakota.

Deputies said the 15-year-old boy "accidentally shot" Dakota. The two teens were not related, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Spokeswoman Jodi Miller said.

Authorities did not provide additional details on the shooting and did not release information about the gun.

Neighbors described the scene as "chaotic" when paramedics and deputies began to arrive, adding that they saw the teen run down the street.

"Just heard a big bang, like two shots, and we were watching a movie with the kids, so it was pretty intense" neighbor Ismael Zepeda said. "We got the kids and put them in the room."

Gardner said the teens were not close friends.

The boy, whose name was not released, was booked on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter Monday.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information was urged to call Detective Mike Flores or Sgt. Robert Warrick at 909-387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or use the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

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