Father Says Teen Girl Shot, Killed After Scaring Friend
LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Longmont are investigating the shooting death of an 18-year-old girl.
The shooting happened in the 2500 block of Cambridge Drive at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday.
According to Cmdr. Jeff Satur, officers were dispatched to the Longmont United Hospital on a call about a teenage female, identified as Premila Lal, who had been brought to the hospital after being shot. Efforts to keep Lal alive were unsuccessful.
Police have arrested Nerrek Galley, 21, on charges unrelated to the shooting while the investigation continues. Satur said it appears the shooting was "unintended and extremely tragic."
Family members said Lal and Galley were best friends and Lal was hiding in a closet and jumped out to scare Galley and he shot her after being startled.
The closet opened and I think she jumped and screamed and he thought it was an intruder inside the closet, so that when he pulled the trigger," Lal's father Praveen Lal said.
Galley, from Utah, is currently being held in Boulder County Jail on several charges including reckless endangerment.
Lal was a high school track star. Her parents are heartbroken over the loss of their daughter.
My life ended so suddenly and I think it's going to take a few more days for us to really, you know, comprehend she's gone," Praveen Lal said.
Despite his sadness Praveen Lal said he feels no anger towards Galley.
"We lost a daughter, so we don't want anybody else to lose their son, you know, especially when it was accident," he said.
