A 5-year-old girl is fighting for her life. Washington DC Hospital Monday evening after being shot by a younger sister, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Chief Pamela Smith said officers responded to reports of shots fired inside an apartment in the unit block of Galveston Street Southwest around 6:30 p.m.
A 5-year-old girl was found at the scene with a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.
“The child, at this time, is in critical condition,” Smith said at a news conference Monday night. “This is such a tragic event.”
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Smith said the little girl was shot by her younger brother who had access to an unsecured firearm inside the apartment. He is said to be about 3 years old.
“This incident really highlights the danger of unsecured firearms in homes and especially around children,” Smith said. “We want to emphasize the importance of firearms safety and are asking everyone to keep our young victim in your prayers at this time.”
A man, described by police as a longtime family friend, was arrested inside the apartment. Accused of cruelty to children. The two children were left in his care while their mother ran errands.
The children were inside their mother’s apartment in a unit block on Galveston Street Southwest in Washington, DC. (Google Earth)
Police did not know if the man was in a relationship with the mother, but said the apartment belonged to her.
A woman was also arrested from the scene on the charge of assault. A special police officer who works in an apartment complex. Details about the incident were not shared, but Smith said she is the sister of the girl who was shot.
When asked who the gun belonged to or if it was a ghost gun, Smith said officers don’t know yet, adding that the investigation is in its early stages.
Metropolitan Police Department in Washington DC, (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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During the brief news conference, Smith stressed the importance of gun safety and said it can’t be talked about enough.
“When we have firearms in our homes, we are expected to keep our firearms locked up, and especially our little children” Smith said.