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Police: Teen Girl Accidentally Shot By Friends Playing With Gun

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A 13-year-old girl was found dead, hidden under piles of trash. Now police say it was a tragic accident and two boys are behind bars.

Meghan McCorkell spoke to the victim's family after the arrests.

Two boys, ages 12 and 13, are now charged with involuntary manslaughter but the family of 13-year-old Monae Turnage say the arrests don't bring any closure.

Turnage was found shot to death in an alley, buried under a pile of trash.

"It's an absolutely tragic shooting and it strikes us all at our hearts. It was a young lady, a young lady who really wasn't given a chance at life," said Anthony Guglielmi, Baltimore City Police.

Detectives say Turnage was inside a home with friends Saturday night. They were playing with the gun when it went off. Turnage was shot in the chest and killed. Police say the two boys dragged her into the alley and hid her body.

Devastated family members are still searching for answers.

"We all know things happen. Dial 911. What else can you do? Somebody's hurt and you witness it. You don't try to cover it; you try to get them help," said Monae's aunt, Jannet Fischer.

They say the story doesn't add up.

"I don't really understand the story. I don't think that she was playing with a gun," said Monae's cousin, Paulette Wright.

Family members say she was terrified of guns and wouldn't be around one.

Police say she was shot with a .22-caliber rifle. Now they're trying to figure out who owns that gun.

"How did this gun get in the home? Whose gun was it? Why wasn't it secured and how does it end up in the hands of a 12 and 13-year-old child," Gugliemi said.

Police are working around the clock to answer those questions.

Both of the suspects will be charged as juveniles. Charges could also potentially be filed against the owner of the rifle.

Monae Turnage was a student at William C. March Middle School. She wanted to be a pediatrician.

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