13-year-old boy charged in shooting death of 5-year-old brother in Penn Hills

A 13-year-old boy is facing homicide and gun charges in the shooting death of his 5-year-old brother in Penn Hills last month.

Keegan McGivern was arrested Tuesday in connection with the death of his brother Connor Wolfe, who was found shot in their Prescott Drive home on Nov. 22, officials said.

Police initially believed Connor had been shot by a 6-year-old sibling.

Penn Hills police officers responded to the home around 5:30 p.m. and found Connor on the bedroom floor with his mother performing CPR, according to a criminal complaint. A Smith & Wesson 9mm gun belonging to Connor’s father also was found in the bedroom, police said.

McGivern’s grandmother took the teen to Allegheny County Police headquarters on Tuesday, the complaint said. McGivern told officers that on Nov. 22 he became angry with his brother and sister because they were jumping on the bed, and they wouldn’t listen when he told them to stop, the complaint said.

Police said detectives determined that four children, ages 13, 6, 5 and 3, were left unsupervised with a loaded and unsecured gun within reach.

McGivern knew the gun was accessible in the bedroom and he grabbed it and pointed it at Connor to scare him, the complaint said. McGivern pulled the trigger while pointing the gun at Connor, believing the safety was on, the complaint said.

“(McGivern) stated he pulled the trigger out of anger but couldn’t recall exactly what he was angry about at the moment,” according to the complaint.

Connor, a kindergartner in Penn Hills School District, died at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head and neck, the complaint said.

McGivern is charged with criminal homicide and possession of a firearm by a minor.

“What happened in Penn Hills was an intentional act that resulted in the tragic death of a 5-year-old,” a statement from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office reads. “The 13-year-old was charged as an adult because Pennsylvania law does not permit a charge of criminal homicide to be filed directly in juvenile court.”

McGivern was taken to a juvenile housing facility after being arraigned Tuesday night.

“It is our intention to transfer this case to juvenile court forthwith and allow a judge to decide what is the best course of supervision and treatment for this child,” the statement reads.

Allegheny County Police said they are working to determine the parents’ level of responsibility. Criminal charges are expected to be filed, police said.

A preliminary hearing for McGivern is scheduled for Jan. 19, court records show.