7-year-old who died after accidental shooting in Milford Mill is identified

A 7-year-old girl who died in an accidental shooting at a western Baltimore County home has been identified by police as Alayah Terrell.

Officers responded around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday to the 7800 block of Selgrave Road in Milford Mill for a reported shooting, where they found Terrell suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.

She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending.

Trae Corbin, a spokesperson for the Baltimore County Police Department, told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that adults were home at the time of the shooting. Investigators are still working to determine what type of firearm was involved, how the girl was shot, and whether the weapon was properly stored.

“We don’t know how the shooting took place, but we do believe it was accidental in nature,” Corbin said, according to WJZ, a media partner of The Banner. “Anytime a child’s life is lost, it’s absolutely tragic.”

Corbin added that police have not yet determined whether to file charges in connection with the incident. Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger declined to comment Wednesday, citing the ongoing investigation.

The shooting came a week after siblings Steve Allen, 9, and Giovanna Myrie, 15, were fatally shot at a home in nearby Gwynn Oak. Police are still searching for a suspect in that case.