Teenager faces felony charges after 3-year-old critically injured in South Philly shooting

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A 17-year-old is facing charges after his 3-year-old nephew was critically hurt in a shooting at a South Philadelphia home on Wednesday evening. Authorities said the gun is still missing.

The District Attorney’s Office said the 17-year-old, who is the child’s uncle, was arrested and charged with a felony weapon offense, as well as a juvenile charge for possession of a firearm.

During a press conference Thursday, prosecutor Anthony Voci said the teenager is currently on juvenile supervision for a previous gun offense.

“He’s been charged with recklessly endangering another person,” Voci said. “He’s also been charged with tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice because the gun that injured this child is nowhere to be found.”

Another weapon was discovered on the property in a shoebox, and it was determined to be a nonfunctioning ghost gun.

Tone Barr, head of victim services at the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia, urged families to check their homes for unsecured weapons.

“When you hear about a 3-year-old being shot, this is the time that he should be in the house playing with toys, being outside playing, just being an innocent child,” Barr said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated after the District Attorney’s Office clarified that the individual initially identified as the child’s brother is the child’s uncle.