UPDATE: Holmes County Deputies say there were three children in the house at the time of the shooting — ages 5, 6, and 7 — along with an adult who owned the home, who was the only adult inside. Investigators said the children’s mother was on the property but was not inside the home.
According to Holmes County Sheriff John Tate, the 7-year-old found a pistol that belonged to the homeowner, a friend of the children’s mother. The child reportedly took the gun into a bedroom where the other children were, and the gun went off, hitting the 5-year-old. The 7-year-old then ran down the road to a nearby grandparents’ house.
“The kids and mom are from Alabama, and they were visiting a friend. The grandparents’ house is about one or two miles from the residence where it happened,” said Holmes County Sheriff John Tate.
Deputies say they believe the shooting was accidental, and no one is facing charges at this time, although investigators say that could change as the case is reviewed.
“At the end of the day, it’s a tragic event, the family lost a child, and one of their other children is responsible for that. Our sympathy and prayers go out to the family,” said Sheriff Tate.
The investigation is ongoing. The sheriff says that with help from the Department of Children and Families, authorities are interviewing the children and conducting an autopsy.
Once that is done, the case will be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office to determine whether any criminal charges will be filed against the adults involved.
“It’s the responsibility of the gun-owner if they have kids around, whether it’s their kids or anybody else’s kids, it’s their responsibility to put guns up where kids can’t get ahold of them, and accidents like this happen,” said Sheriff Tate.
Sheriff Tate also says the circumstances surrounding supervision and access to the gun in the shooting remain under investigation.
“It’s just one of those unfortunate accidents that you know, if we all could turn back time, we would change the way the outcome was, and do things a little differently, but unfortunately, we are not in the position where we can wind back the clock,” said Tate.
The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a shooting on Twin Lakes Drive at 8:26 p.m. Sunday night.
When deputies arrived, they saw a 5-year-old girl with a gunshot wound and began performing life-saving measures. The girl was transported to the Doctors Memorial Hospital and succumbed to her injuries, authorities say.
According to law enforcement, initial investigations show that a 7-year-old sibling of the girl had the gun when it discharged. Authorities say the child ran from the home to the grandparents’ home after the incident.
The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office says an adult was inside the home at the time of the incident and is under investigation due to the circumstances surrounding supervision and access to the firearm.
This is an ongoing investigation.
The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting near Twin Lakes Drive.
Last night, the HCSO said the investigation is active, and deputies were working to secure the scene. Law enforcement asked on Facebook that the public avoid the area.
Authorities say all parties involved are accounted for, and there is no threat to the public.
We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
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Source: wjhg
