(Photo: AP)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) - A US teenager took his own life after killing his friend while showing off a gun, police said Tuesday.

The incident happened Monday afternoon in the suburb of Lawrenceville, about 50 km northeast of Atlanta, state of Georgia, the Gwinnett County Police Department said in a press release via Twitter.

The teenagers were identified as Chad Carless, 17, and Devin Hodges, 15.

According to the release, Hodges was showing off a hand gun to a group of four friends in a makeshift shed near a home when he accidentally fired a shot that struck Carless, who was sitting next to him.

The three teens fled, while one called police, the release said.

"Carless succumbed to his injuries before help could arrive," it added. "As officers were arriving on scene, Hodges was seen running between two homes where he then took his own life with the hand gun."

The police department said it's still investigating the incident.

"Our thoughts are with the families of both these young men," the department tweeted.