Prosecutors say its likely police fired the shots that killed an eight-year-old Philadelphia girl in front of her mother and wounded her 12-year-old sister as they were leaving a high school football game.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said preliminary findings in the investigation into the shooting death of Fanta Bility found that there was a 'high probability' the girl was hit by police officers' bullets as they were shooting back at gunmen.
The eight-year-old was shot as her and her family were exiting a stadium following a a local high school football game last Friday in Delaware County when bullets began flying in a drive-by shooting.
Eight-year-old Fanta Bility from Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, died after she was shot in the chest
Police opened fire after initial gunshot and no arrests have been made so far
DA Jack Stollsteimer said preliminary investigations found that there was a 'high probability' that Fanta Bility, 8, was hit by police officers' bullets
Stollsteimer said at least one of the shots were fired in the direction of three Sharon Hill police officers who were monitoring the crowd as it left the game and when officers fired back they likely struck four members of the crowd, including the fatal shot to Fanta's chest.
Her 12-year-old sister was also caught in the crossfire and is recovering from her graze wound.
The other two victims have not been publicly identified.
'Tragically, our investigation has now determined that there is a high probability that the responsive gunfire of the Sharon Hill Police Officers struck four victims, including the shots that killed 8-year-old Fanta Bility and wounded her sister,' DA Stollsteimer said in a statement on Thursday.
'The death of Fanta and the wounding of her sister and the other students are a heartbreaking tragedy for her family, her friends and the entire Delaware County community,' he added.
Despite the preliminary findings, Stollsteimer said investigators are still committed to finding the person who fired the initial shots and asked the community for help in identifying those involved to bring closure to the Bility family and other victims of the shooting.
The child from Sharon Hill, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died at a hospital after being shot in the chest on Friday as the game between Academy Park and Pennsbury high schools ended
The eight-year-old (pictured with her mother) was shot as her and her family were exiting a stadium following a a local high school football game last Friday in Delaware County
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said investigators are still committed to finding the drive-by shooter and asked the community for help in identifying those involved
'I am asking again for the community's help in identifying all the individuals involved in the altercation and the gunfire on Coates Street that led to this tragedy,' he said in the statement.
'My promise to them and to the Sharon Hill community is that we will continue this investigation for as long as it takes until every question is answered and justice is done,' he added.
Pennsbury said in a statement that none of its players, staff or coaches were injured. The school said players were evacuated safely and met by counselors.
AP reported that the officers, who have not been named, are on paid administrative leave, according to an email from Sharon Hill council.
The council also said it will hire an outside firm to investigate and ensure police department policies were followed and whether its procedures 'are at the forefront of community policing.'
Sharon Hill borough is a small community of about 5,700 residents less than 2 miles north of Philadelphia International Airport.
Borough administrators did not return emails asking whether the three officers were on duty or working an off-duty security shift at the high school.
