Teen killed in accidental shooting in St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (FOX 13) - St. Petersburg police officers are investigating a shooting that left a teenager dead early Sunday morning.

According to police, a gun was accidentally fired inside a vehicle in the area of Central Avenue and 58th Street.

 "We do believe at this point that it looks like it was an accidental, that it was not an intentional shooting," said St. Petersburg spokeswoman Yolanda Fernandez.

The bullet struck 17-year-old Destiny Loper who was sitting in the front seat of the car. 
The driver of the vehicle continued down Central Avenue until they flagged down an officer near the police station.

Shortly after, Loper was pronounced deceased.

"It’s really sad, I think some people don't realize that sometimes firearms are loaded," Fernandez said. "I think this is a reminder to everyone that you have to take weapons very seriously, and you have to be very responsible with them."

Detectives arrested 21-year-old Jessica Perry and charged her with manslaughter in connection with the shooting. She bonded out of jail shortly after her arrest.