Girl, 3, shoots, kills sister, 4, at NW Harris County apartment, sheriff says
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A girl accidentally shot and killed her sister Sunday night in northwest Harris County, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Gonzalez tweeted about the incident at 8:40 p.m. but said the initial call came just before 8 p.m. He provided an update at the scene at about 9:45 p.m.
@HCSOTexas units responded to an apt unit at 9955 Bammel North Houston. Preliminary info: two toddlers were inside the unit with other persons. One toddler (3 yrs) gained access to a firearm and unintentionally shot the other (4 yrs). The toddler was pronounced
1/2 pic.twitter.com/AdXDgZ6bzF— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) March 13, 2023
According to Gonzalez, there were five adults and the two girls were hanging out at an apartment on Bammel North Houston Road near Tomball Parkway (SH 249). They were all family and friends, Gonzalez said.
Police tape at a crime scene.
At about 7:30 p.m., HCSO deputies received a call about a juvenile hurt at an apartment complex at 9955 Bammel North Houston.
Gonzalez said the girls lived at the apartment with their parents.
At some point during the night, when Gonzalez said one parent thought the other was watching the girls, they were left alone in a bedroom. He said the 3-year-old girl found a loaded pistol and fired a single shot.
Her 4-year-old sister was hit and pronounced dead at the scene, Gonzalez said.
Family members heard the shot, secured the gun and called 911, Gonzalez said.
The shooting appears to be accidental. It’s unclear if any charges will be filed in connection with the shooting.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said.
According to deputies, other people were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting.
This is a developing story and will be updated here with any further information.
Here’s the update Gonzalez provided at the scene of the shooting: