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8-year-old Camden girl shot in head this week dies of her injuries

An 8-year-old Camden girl struck in the head by a stray bullet across the street from her home Wednesday night has died, her father announced Friday afternoon.

"Gabby," an 8-year-old Camden girl grievously wounded by a stray bullet, has prompted an outpouring of sympathy for her in social media. On Friday, authorities increased the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who fired the shot.
"Gabby," an 8-year-old Camden girl grievously wounded by a stray bullet, has prompted an outpouring of sympathy for her in social media. On Friday, authorities increased the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who fired the shot.Read more(Photo provided by Camden County Police Department)

An 8-year-old Camden girl struck in the head by a stray bullet across the street from her home Wednesday night has died, her father announced Friday afternoon.

"[It's] official ladies n gentlemen my baby Gabrielle Hill Carter is no longer with us. Thank you all for ur prayers," Will Phillips posted on Facebook at 5:50 p.m.

"Gabby," as she was called by her family, had been in critical condition at Cooper University Hospital since she was rushed there Wednesday night.

Also on Friday, the reward offered by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and Police Department was raised from $5,000 to $12,000.

The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. near Eighth and Spruce Streets, where several men opened fire on another person and wounded Gabrielle instead, police have said.

County Police Chief Scott Thomson has said that the shooting appeared to be gang-related, and that video surveillance footage was taken from the scene.

The girl's mother, identified on Facebook as Meresa Carter, posted Thursday: "It ain't over until God says it over," and friends on her page offered prayers and said the girl should stay strong.

"I know that there is nothing much I can say or do to heal your pain. I am praying for you and your family," one woman wrote on Carter's page. "If there's anything that you need please call me. I love you and keep the faith."

"Plz gabby pull thru this is kno ur a strong gurl," another person wrote.

Authorities asked anyone with information on the shooting to call Prosecutor's Office Detective Sherman Hopkins at 856-225-8623 or Police Department Detective Michael Ross at 856-757-7420.

mboren@phillynews.com

856-779-3829 @borenmc

Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.