NEW ORLEANS -- Police said a man killed his 17-year-old girlfriend inside a home at the 2100 block of Franklin Avenue early Tuesday morning.

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New Orleans police said Kelly Hill was killed at about 3:30 a.m. Police responded to the call, entered the home and said she had been shot with a shotgun.

EMTs arrived and Hill was pronounced dead.

Wednesday night, police were searching for her 22-year-old boyfriend, Kevin Williams Jr.

Williams' family members said the shooting was a mistake, but they want him to turn himself in.

"She took the bullets out of the gun," Williams' mother, Mary, said. "He didn't know it. They had one still in the gun. They were playing and it went off."

New Orleans Police Department Deputy Chief Marlon Defillo said the couple had been known to argue and there were physical altercations at times.

Several family members said they were inside sleeping at the time of the shooting. They said Hill's death was likely unintentional.

"It was an accident," Williams' aunt, Phyllis Allen, said. "He wouldn't kill someone he loved."

Williams' mother said the couple dated for about two years. She said, whatever happened early Tuesday morning, she just wants her son to do the right thing.

"We want you home," Mary Williams said. "Defend yourself."

"We know you're not a violent person," Allen said. "We don't want police to shoot you down and kill you. We want you home. If you're in jail, we know you're safe."

Police said domestic violence between younger couples isn't normal.

"It's unusual when 22- and 17-year-olds are involved in domestic violence because of the length of the relationship," Defillo said.

Family members said they talked with Kevin Williams on the phone Wednesday evening. He said he was on his way to California with another woman.

Anyone who knows his whereabouts should call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and there could be a cash reward.