16-year-old girl charged in shooting death of Lawrenceville teen

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - A 16-year-old girl has been arrested following the shooting death of a Lawrenceville teen. 

According to investigators, a short police pursuit began early Thursday morning, shortly after midnight, after a Lawrenceville officer attempted to stop a vehicle "driving erratically." 

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Police said the car came to a stop on West Pike Street and when officers approached the vehicle they found 19-year-old Dominic Smith suffering from a gunshot wound in the back seat. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. 

Gwinnett County Police were called to the scene after learning the shooting took place in the 1600 block of Balvaird Drive. Investigators said about six to seven teens, ranging in 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," Gwinnett County Police said in a news release. 

Investigators said the girl tried to take Smith to the hospital when she was stopped by Lawrenceville police. 

The teen, who has already had a first appearance hearing, is being held at Gainesville RYDC. She has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and possession of a pistol by a minor. 

Detectives are working to determine how many people witnessed the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).