7-year-old boy dies at the hospital days after accidental shooting in Pittsburgh neighborhood

A 7-year-old boy who was accidentally shot over the weekend on Pittsburgh's North Side has died at the hospital. 

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said early Thursday that Kruz Bailey-Baker, 7, died at UPMC Children's Hospital on Wednesday evening. 

Pittsburgh Public Safety said that the boy was taken to the hospital on Saturday morning after he and another child were playing with a gun when it accidentally discharged at a home along Kirkbride Street. 

The other child, a 9-year-old boy, reportedly told police that the gun was in his possession when it went off.

Police said that there were no adults in the residence at the time of the incident, though a 16-year-old was also home. A woman who was taking care of the boys had recently left the house to go to work. It was not immediately known where the children got the gun from. 

Police said detectives are working with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office to determine if any charges will be filed. The incident remains under investigation.

Victim remembered as "sweet and joyful young boy"

Pittsburgh Public Schools said Bailey-Baker was a first grade student at Manchester PreK-8. Counseling and support services will be provided to students and staff, the district said on Thursday. 

"Kruz will be remembered as a sweet and joyful young boy whose smile could light up a room," the district said. "Like many children his age, he loved being active, and gym was his favorite class. He most recently shared a wonderful day with his friends at the school's math fair."

Yvonne Rainey said she is heartbroken after learning about the boy's death. She said she watched Bailey-Baker grow up.

"It's just hard to even fathom that he's gone," Rainey said. "It is so sad. The whole community is grieving, because these are our children."

Rainey said the boys lived with their grandmother, aunt, and uncle, and that Bailey-Baker loved to play in the park and take part in the local science workshop.

Now, she urges families to be mindful of their weapons to prevent this from happening again.

"A gun should not be out for children to have access to," Rainey said. "The bottom line is, think, think, because a life is so valuable and you can never, ever get it back."