Caitlin A. Tompkins

The Arizona Republic

TEMPE, Ariz. — A 16-year-old girl died after being shot in the face when a handgun accidentally fired as a relative was handling it, police said.

The adult male in-law was either cleaning or handling the gun when it went off at about 9:30 p.m. MST Monday, striking the girl at an apartment complex near Arizona State University, said Sgt. Damon DeSpain, a Tempe police spokesman. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she died.

"There were other people in the house, other family members. The information I have so far is they didn't witness it; they were in other rooms," Despain told KSAZ-TV, Phoenix. "Everybody says there was no arguing, wasn't any kind of altercation."

Police are not sure whether the in-law knew the gun was loaded and determined that the shooting was accidental. Officials had not released the names of the teen nor her family member by early Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear whether any charges would be filed.

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