Allegheny County homicide police said a 17-year-old girl was accidentally shot and killed early Sunday morning by a friend who was showing off his gun.

Karrie Linnen was shot at about 1:10 a.m. at a Park Avenue home's garage where several young people had been hanging out and drinking beer, police said.

Linnen, who was an incoming senior at Clairton High School, was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital.

Homicide investigators said 18-year-old Gerron Chaney brought out a handgun, removed the clip and passed it around.

When the gun was returned to Chaney, witnesses told police he loaded it and cocked the slide. As he was playing with it, investigators said the gun accidentally went off, hitting Linnen in the chest.

Officers said they arrested Chaney and charged him with homicide and reckless endangerment. The other three teens present at the scene have not been charged, police said.

"They were very good friends. Whatever happened, happened. I just want everybody to know that my son is not a bad guy," said Greg Chaney, the suspect's father.

Police said the gun was not recovered at the scene. Anyone with information regarding the gun is asked to call the homicide unit at 412-473-1300. A reward is being offered for the gun.

Family members were mourning the loss of a "great girl," who had her life ahead of her and dreamed of becoming an anesthesiologist.

"(Karrie) was just determined to be a somebody when she got out of school," the victim's grandmother, Jennifer Williams, said.

Now, they must plan a funeral for Linnen, instead of making plans for her senior portrait.

"Why her? Because (Karrie) was a good girl," said Kallai Linnen, the victim's aunt.

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