The death of an 18-year-old woman who was shot, killed and left in an SUV this weekend was likely an accident, investigators said Monday morning.

Captain Kip Hart, the assistant commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said police believe the victim, Elexis Lashelle McCool, was driving around the area of McFarland Boulevard and Skyland Boulevard with two friends, who are 14 and 15.

The 14-year-old was in the back seat with a handgun and fired several shots out the back passenger window, Hart said. When the teen brought the pistol back into the car, he accidentally fired again, striking McCool as she drove.

Hart said McCool was able to bring the car to a stop, but died soon afterwards.

The teenagers moved her body to the back seat and drove the car to the area off of 25th Street where the abandoned car was found Sunday.

Police have declined to identify the suspects by name because of their age, but the 14-year-old is to be charged with murder, and the 15-year-old will be charged with theft, abuse of a corpse and obstructing government operations.

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