Police: Father 'recklessly' waving gun killed daughter, 4

Published April 18, 2016

This undated photo provided by the Philadelphia Police Department shows Maurice Phillips, who was charged with third-degree murder in the Saturday, April 16, 2016, death of his 4-year-old Tahirah Phillips. (Philadelphia Police Department via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

Authorities allege that a Philadelphia father was "carelessly and recklessly" waving a gun around a bedroom with seven children present when it went off, killing his 4-year-old daughter.

Thirty-year-old Maurice Phillips is charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment and reckless endangerment in Saturday's death of 4-year-old Tahirah Phillips.

Homicide division Capt. James Clark said Monday the girl and her six siblings were watching television when Phillips came in and started waving the weapon around. It discharged and hit the girl in the back of the head.

Police allege that Phillips then struck his 5-year-old daughter and wiped blood onto her shirt in an apparent effort to shift blame. Police previously believed the girl's 5-year-old sibling was the shooter. Phillips fled but later turned himself in and ultimately confessed.

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