Police investigate after 12-year-old boy dies from gunshot wound in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. (WTXF) - Tragedy struck on East 27th Street in Wilmington Friday morning when police arrived on the scene and found a 12-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound inside a home. His older sister fought back tears as she spoke with FOX 29.

"I lost my little brother," said Ta'Shionn Brown. "That's my little brother. I live in that house with him."

Crime scene investigators arrived on scene as the victim was raced to the hospital. Two hours later, police announced the 12-year-old had died. Wilmington detectives are still in the process of this investigation, however, preliminary information is that the victim may have accidentally shot himself.

"My little brother wasn't a bad boy. He was good," Brown said.

"He did everything a normal kid would do--play-- he had friends. he went to school," said neighbor Jaki Bland, who lives across the street.

Friends and family said they called the 12-year-old 'Waterboy' because he sold water with friends on nearby Gov. Printz Highway.

"It's sad that it had to happen. but it's an unfortunate circumstance that we gonna overcome cause that's what we do around here," Bland explained.

Police K9s came to the crime scene and searched a field off nearby Bowers Street--reportedly looking for the gun used the the shooting. The Wilmington Housing Authority had a no gun policy here, but it was overturned by the State Supreme Court in 2014. Neighbors were stunned by the boy's death.

Police remained in the neighborhood for hours, processing the crime scene and going door-to-door. They also searched surrounding yards and spoke with neighbors. Police did not say if they recovered a weapon.

No word on whether charges will be filed in connection with the shooting death.

This investigation is ongoing at this time.