9 Year Old Girl in Pennsylvania Shot, Mistaken for a Skunk

A 9 year old girl in New Sewickley, Pennsylvania, was accidentally shot by a family member who thought she was an animal. According to the Beaver County Times, the girl’s name is not being released, was attending a Halloween party, wearing a black costume and a black hat with white tassel, and the relative mistook her for a skunk and shot her in the shoulder with a shotgun. The girl was flown to Pittsburgh but is expected to be fine as she was alert and talking.

The family was having an early Halloween party and the 9 year old girl was over the hillside of the home when the family member thought he saw a skunk. It was dark and the girl dressed in black with the white tassel resembled a skunk even though she’s wasn’t dressed like one. No word on whether the relative will be charged in the shooting as police are still investigating and collecting statements.