Watch CBS News

3-Year-Old Fatally Shoots Herself After Finding Gun In Central Valley Home

LEMOORE, Kings County (CBS / AP) -- Central California authorities say a 3-year-old girl found a loaded gun and fatally shot herself in the head.

Lemoore police Detective Matthew Smith told The Fresno Bee on Wednesday that the girl and her family were visiting from Southern California when she found a gun in an apartment bedroom.

The newspaper reported that police would not provide details about the gun's caliber.

ALSO READ: Man Cleaning Handgun Accidentally Shoots Neighbor In San Francisco

Her mother, sibling and the mother's friend heard the shot Saturday and tried to help. The child was taken to a hospital, where she died.

Smith says two people who live in the apartment were gone when the girl fired the gun registered to a friend of one of the roommates.

He says no arrests have been made, but the gun owner and the roommate could face charges.

The case is being investigated as reckless endangerment of a child resulting in death and negligent storage of a firearm.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.