Father Charged In Shooting Death Of 4-Year-Old: Cops

Philadelphia Police have charged Maurice Phillips, 30, in connection with the death of his young daughter in what is believed to be an accidental shooting, authorities announced Monday.

He faces charges of third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and others in connection with the Saturday incident, which happened in the city's Kensington section.

Police also released disturbing details surrounding the death of the 4-year-old girl.

Philadelphia Police say the girl was watching television with six of her siblings Saturday afternoon when Phillips came into the room, recklessly waving his gun. The gun fired, hitting Tahirah Phillips in the head, killing her. She was pronounced dead at the scene just before 2:30 p.m.

After the shooting, police say the other children became upset and started yelling.

"Maurice Phillips then got off the bed where he was sitting and struck his 5-year-old daughter with a closed fist then wiped the blood from his hand onto her shirt," according to information from Philadelphia police.

He then picked up Tahirah and carried her into another bedroom. Police say he called his fiancé and told her to come home. When she arrived he followed her to the bedroom where Tahirah was lying, then he changed his clothes and fled the residence, according to police.

Police say Phillips initially blamed the shooting on his 5-year-old daughter, telling authorities she accidentally shot her younger sibling. Authorities also say he punched that same daughter and then wiped the blood from his hand onto her clothing.

Phillips fled the scene but later turned himself in to police. He has confessed what happened to authorities, police say.

His preliminary hearing is May 4, court records show.

Phillips has been denied bail.