Brother Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Montco Girl, 12: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — The brother of a 12-year-old girl found dead from a gunshot wound inside her family's home has been charged with the girl's murder, the Montogomery County district attorney announced Friday night.

Jah’sir Vasquez, 13, has been charged with third-degree murder for the shooting death of his sister, Jasiyah Vasquez. Despite the boy's age, Pennsylvania law requires him to be charged in adult criminal court, district attorney Kevin Steele said in a release.

Just before 8 a.m. Friday, police responded to the family's home in the Collegeville area of Upper Providence.

When police arrived, they found Jasiyah in the living room with a single gunshot wound to the chest, according to the DA's release.

Upon investigating the shooting, police said the mother of the children, Daisy Vasquez, had asked Jah’sir to go outside and retrieve a 9mm handgun from her car. Surveillance video recovered by investigators showed Jah’sir enter the house with the gun before pointing it at his sister, according to police. Moments later, the gun discharged and Jasiyah collapsed, police said.

Jah’sir Vasquez is being held at the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center after he was denied bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26.

The investigation into the shooting continues.