Costumed Girl Shot After Being Mistaken for Skunk: Cops

Police say a costumed 9-year-old girl was accidentally shot outside a western Pennsylvania home during a Halloween party by a relative who thought she was a skunk.

State wildlife officials are among the agencies investigating the shooting of an 8-year-old western Pennsylvania girl who was wounded when a family member apparently mistook her costume for a skunk during a family Halloween party.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife officer overseeing Beaver County tells the Beaver County Times he's working with police on the investigation of Saturday night's shooting in New Sewickley Township.

Police say the girl was shot around 8:30 p.m. Saturday by a 24-year-old cousin who thought her black and white costume was actually a skunk.

Investigators haven't released the identity of the girl, who was flown to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Her condition wasn't available.

New Sewickley police Chief Ron Leindecker says the girl was playing over a hillside near the house when she was shot.

No charges have been filed, police say the investigation is continuing.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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