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Teen dies after accidental shooting incident in Akron

Police say it happened as several teens were gathered in a basement.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Akron police had previously said two teens were killed in this incident, but have since corrected that information to report only one teen has died. This story has been updated to reflect that correction.

AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Police Department is investigating the death of a 15-year-old boy after an apparent accidental shooting that happened Wednesday evening.

Several teens were gathered in the basement of a home in the 200 block of Grand Avenue when a 15-year-old boy pulled out a gun and accidentally shot a 14-year-old boy in the head, police say.

Authorities say it's believed the shooter panicked and turned the gun on himself.

"It appears from several of the other people that were in the basement that it was accidental, that there was no intent to harm somebody or shoot somebody," Akron Police Lt. Rick Edwards says.

The two teens were taken to Akron General Hospital where the 15-year-old boy was pronounced dead. Akron police had previously reported the 14-year-old boy also died, but authorities have since corrected that information saying he survived the shooting and remains in the hospital.

"Last night we received inaccurate information from multiple reliable sources that both teens had died at the hospital," Akron police said in a statement late Thursday morning. "The department would like to apologize to the victims' families. The department feels terrible for the families of the victims of this tragic event and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time."

Investigators are working to determine who owns the gun involved.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the boy who died, but WKYC has chosen not to name him at this time.

Stay with WKYC for updates as they become available.

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