Montco Teen Shot, Killed Friend While Playing With Loaded Gun: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — A 16-year-old Norristown resident has been arrested following the shooting death of a friend inside a local home over the weekend.

Victor Bell Jr. was recklessly handling the gun when it went off, killing 23-year-old Diamond Rahatt, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

"(Bell) was playing around and taking photos with a loaded gun without any regard for the danger and threat to human life the behavior posed," DA Kevin Steele said in a statement. "It was reckless and now a young woman is dead."

The incident occurred in Rahatt's home on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 1:39 p.m. on the 1400 block of Markley Street.

Bell, who police said had known Rahatt for six years and thought of her as an older sister, was playing around with the .40 caliber Springfield Arms firearm when it went off, according to police.

Bell left the home immediately after the gunshot, which hit Rahatt in the head, authorities said. Rahatt's grandfather came in after he heard the gunshot and saw Bell leave, a criminal complaint states.

When police arrived at the scene, they found Rahatt lying on the bed with a bullet strike on the bedroom wall behind her, indicating she'd been seated when she was hit, according to police.

Rahatt was transported to Paoli hospital, where she was pronounced dead the next night, Jan. 4.

Bell was charged with third degree murder, possessing an instrument of crime, and manslaughter. A judge denied bail, and he was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 15.