An 8-year-old boy from Jacksonville, Florida was left alone at home with his sister, a 5-year-old, and brother, a 4-year-old last Saturday. The 8-year-old boy was able to get a hold of a gun and accidentally fired the weapon striking his sister dead.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Chief Chris Butler said the elder boy fired a single shot from the gun. The 4-year-old was also wounded but is expected to survive.
Emergency personnel was called to the apartment and tried to revive the child. They were unsuccessful as she succumbed to her injuries later, Boston Globe reported. Butler said of the incident, "We believe, in the absence of any other information being developed, that, unfortunately, this is a tragic unfortunate accidental shooting."
Upon further investigation, authorities learned the mother went out to go to a store. It was unclear who owns the gun and where the father of the children was at the time of the incident. It was also not clear how the child got hold of the gun and if it was properly stored and secured prior to the shooting. Officials are still investigating and are yet to decide whether or not charges will be filed regarding a gun being accessible to the kids.
A therapist is said to be working with the boy who fired the weapon. The Florida Department of Children and Families is also being consulted, as well as the attorney's office. None of the other kids' names as well as the parents' names have been released yet. However, Daily Mail reported the child who died was identified as Serenity Allen. The identity is yet to be confirmed.
Some people gathered to mourn the loss of the child. One woman collapsed to the ground while crying and others screamed in anguish. Butler noted the expressions of the family and friends of the child who died is not pleasant to go through as they investigate the matter.
