The Latest: Man charged in fatal shooting of 4-year-old girl

PHILADELPHIA – The Latest on the fatal shooting of a 4-year-old Philadelphia girl (all times local):

8:50 p.m.

Philadelphia police have charged a man in the fatal shooting of a 4-year-old girl.

Investigators say Maurice Phillips turned himself in Saturday night, and admitted he was responsible for the young girl’s death.

Phillips, who is either the girl’s father or stepfather, is charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child.

Police say the girl was shot in the face Saturday afternoon at a home in the city’s Kensington neighbourhood. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators initially said the girl was shot by her 5-year-old sibling and they were searching for the child’s father or stepfather, who was believed to have owned the gun.

Phillips later told police that it was an accident, and the 5-year-old sibling had nothing to do with it.

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1:30 p.m.

Police say the parent of a 4-year-old girl killed in Philadelphia has confessed to accidentally shooting her.

Authorities originally believed the child was shot by her young brother.

Investigators said the girl was shot in the face by her father or stepfather in a home in the Kensington neighbourhood shortly before 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.

Police previously said the girl was shot by her 5-year-old sibling and were searching for the child’s father or stepfather, who was believed to have owned the gun used.

But Sgt. Eric Gripp said Sunday the man turned himself in Saturday night and ultimately admitted to shooting the victim.

Gripp said the parent “stated that the sibling had nothing to do with it.” His identity has not been released.