Girl, 13, shot in the chest, killed inside North Philly house, police say

A 13-year-old girl died after being shot inside a North Philadelphia home on Wednesday evening, Philadelphia police said.

On Thursday, the victim was identified by family members as Alaysia Smith, a student in the Wissahickon Charter School - Fernhill campus in Philadelphia.

She was a cheerleader for a Philadelphia athletic club, her family told NBC10.

Smith is the youngest person killed by gun violence this year, according to police data.

Provided

According to police, Smith was killed in an incident that happened at a house on the 2800 block of North Bailey Street just after 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 18, 2024.

First responders to the incident, officials said, were told a shooting happened in the second-floor hallway.

Léelo en español aquí.

There, they found Smith bleeding from a single gunshot wound to the right side of her chest and, police officials said, she was unresponsive.

Smith was transported to a nearby hospital where, Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said, despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced just after 8 p.m.

Smith's family lives a few houses down the block from the home where was shot while visiting friends, according to Small.

Witnesses told police they heard a gunshot and then saw several young people running out of the house, Small said.

No weapons were recovered and no one was immediately arrested in connection to the deadly shooting, police said.

Police remained on the scene through the night as they investigated the shooting. Small said that surveillance video could help them in the investigation.

'She had a heart of gold'

"You never know when is the last time you’re going to see your loved one, especially your child. You couldn’t have told me that I would have been burying my 13-year-old daughter," Ayla Bruce, the victim's mother, said.

Bruce said Smith was a sibling of a blended family but always stood out.

“You couldn’t tell she wasn’t the oldest. She was a little bossy. But she was an honorable student. A cheerleader, a leader, she had a heart of gold. She loves fashion and she just started trying to do hair," Bruce said. “I didn’t want to believe that my daughter was in a process of transitioning. So, I just, did what I could. I prayed, but at the end of the day, God knows best. So, I’m resting in that.”

Bruce said she always told her kids to leave a crowd if they even thought someone around them had a gun.

“To these kids, violence, guns, y’all got to leave that stuff alone. 13 years old is way too early for a kid to have to go," Bruce said.

Smith's cheerleading team is planning to hold a vigil in her honor on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Data shows the impact gun violence has on children in Philadelphia

Children have made up about 13% of the nearly 800 shooting victims in Philadelphia so far in 2024, according to data gathered by the City Controller's Office.

So far in 2024, at least 13 others under 18 have been shot and killed in the city, according to public police data. That’s down from 16 at this time last year – which is about a 19% decrease.

While trending the right way, youth gun violence isn’t decreasing as swiftly as adult-related deadly shootings. Those dropped 41% year-over-year.

People under 18 make up nearly 8% of the city’s fatal shootings this year.  Since 2015, almost 200 children have been fatally shot in Philly.

According to Philadelphia Police data, so far this year at least 169 people have been shot and killed in the city – down about 55% compared to this time last year.

A $20,000 reward for info leading to an arrest and conviction is being offered in the case, as happens in all homicides in Philadelphia. Anyone with info is urged to contact Philadelphia police.

Correction (Sept. 19. 2024, 2:08 p.m.): NBC10 has learned that Smith attended Wissahickon Charter School - Fernhill campus. This story has been updated to reflect this new information.