Fallbrook toddler, 3, accidentally shoots and kills 1 year old sister with unsecured gun found at San Diego area home. Authorities investigate.
And again. A 3-year-old child accidentally shot and killed their 1-year-old sister using a handgun found in their San Diego home, California police said.
Officials received a call Monday at 7:30 a.m. about a shooting in a Fallbrook home, where the toddler got a hold of an unsecured gun and fired it at the infant.
The 1-year-old suffered an injury to the head and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, where she died.
‘Despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced deceased at about 8:30 a.m.,’ the San Diego County sheriff’s department said in a statement.
Officials said it was unclear if any adults were in the Stagecoach Lane residence at the time of the shooting. Authorities said the investigation was ongoing.
‘Sheriff’s Homicide investigators are working to gather more information to determine the circumstances of the death,’ the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. ‘There are no outstanding suspects and there is no threat to the community.’
The Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death of the infant.
Police are not naming the victim and the 3-year-old at this time.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Grim statistics
Neighbor Rick Stephens said the incident has left the town reeling after they heard the gunshot ring out early Monday morning.
‘I’m heartbroken, I’m devastated,’ Stephens told Fox 5. ‘My grandchildren are that age.’
The incident is the latest unintentional shooting involving a minor in the US, with firearms remaining the leading cause of death for children under 18.
Last month, a two-year-old in Howell, Michigan, died after getting access to an unsecured gun and shooting themselves.
As of July 15, so far this year there have been at least 221 unintentional shootings by children in the U.S., resulting in 78 deaths and 151 injuries, according to gun violence prevention organization Everytown for Gun Safety.
Unintentional shootings like the ones in San Diego and Howell make up about 5 % of annual gun deaths among minors, according to the nonprofit.
The group estimates that there are 4.6 million children in America who live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded firearm.
Nearly one child gains access to a loaded firearm and unintentionally shoots themself or someone else every day in America — an average of 350 children a year, according to the nonprofit.
Welcome to a brave new America…
