(Lawrenceville, Georgia) Gwinnett County Police have charged a sixteen year old female with Involuntary Manslaughter, Reckless Conduct, and Possession of a Pistol by a Minor following the shooting death of 19 year old Dominic Smith from Lawrenceville. The incident began shortly after midnight when Lawrenceville Police Department initiated a brief, two mile pursuit, in an attempt to stop a vehicle driving erratically. The vehicle came to a stop on the 400 block of West Pike Street. When officers approached the vehicle, they found a male suffering from a gunshot wound in the back seat. Paramedics were summoned and officers began rendering aid to the male. Shortly thereafter, he was transported to the hospital and has since died.

Gwinnett County Police were summoned to the scene after learning that the shooting took place on the 1600 block of Balvaird Drive in Lawrenceville. The preliminary investigation reveals that approximately six to seven teens ranging from ages 16 to 19 were hanging out in a parking lot. At least one of the teens, the sixteen year old female, was handling a firearm in an irresponsible manner and unintentionally shot the victim. All of the other teens fled the scene, leaving the victim and the female. She attempted to transport the victim to the hospital when she was stopped by Lawrenceville Police.

At this point, the sixteen year old female has had a first appearance and is currently being housed at Gainesville RYDC. Detectives are working to determine exactly how many people witnessed the shooting and where the firearm is that was used. Anyone who witnessed the shooting is urged to come forward and provide information to police. This is a very tragic and unfortunate situation that could have been avoided. It highlights one of the worst situations that could happen when teens unlawfully handle firearms.

If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact the Homicide Unit at 770 513-5300.  To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404 577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.  Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.