The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that the 7-year-old boy who was shot Saturday in Pittsburgh’s California-Kirkbride neighborhood, has died of his injuries.
The medical examiner said Kruz Bailey-Baker of Pittsburgh died Wednesday night at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
He was a first-grader at Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Manchester PreK-8.
Public Safety spokeswoman Eliza Durham told TribLive that officers were dispatched for a shooting about 9:45 a.m. Saturday along the 900 block of Kirkbride Street.
Bailey-Baker had been shot in the head.
On Saturday, Durham said preliminary information indicates Bailey-Baker and a 9-year-old boy, who police initially said was 7, were handling a firearm in the basement of a residence when it fired.
The 9-year-old said the gun was in his possession at the time of the incident, Durham reported.
Homicide detectives are conducting the investigation and recovered the gun inside the home Saturday afternoon.
Police took the 7-year-old and a 16-year-old boy, who they say also was present, to Pittsburgh police headquarters for further questioning. The investigation continues.
Pittsburgh Public Schools released a statement of sorrow, saying it would provide counseling and support services for students and staff.
“Kruz will be remembered as a sweet and joyful young boy whose smile could light up a room. Like many children his age, he loved being active, and gym was his favorite class. He most recently shared a wonderful day with his friends at the school’s math fair,” the statement said.
