A 5-year-old girl fights for her life at a… Washington, DC Hospital after she was shot by a younger sibling Monday night, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Chief Pamela Smith said officers responded to reports of a shooting at 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 her upper body. She was taken to an area hospital in serious condition.
“The child is currently in critical condition,” Smith said at a news conference Monday evening. “It’s such an unfortunate incident.”
MAN ARRESTED ON DC METROBUS FOR FARE CASH FOUND WITH LOADED SHOTGUN: POLICE
Police in Washington DC arrested two adults on Monday after a 5-year-old girl was shot by her younger brother. (Metropolitan Police/YouTube)
The little girl was shot by her younger brother who had access to an unsecured firearm in the apartment, Smith said. He is believed to be about 3 years old.
“This incident really highlights the danger of unsecured firearms in homes and especially around children,” Smith said. “We would like to emphasize the importance of firearm safety and ask everyone to keep our young female victim in your prayers at this time.”
A man, described by police as an old family friend, was arrested at the apartment and accused of cruelty to children. The two children were left in his care while their mother ran errands.
The children were in their mother’s apartment in the Unit block of Galveston Street Southwest in Washington, DC (Google Earth)
Police do not know if the man has a relationship with the mother, but say the apartment belonged to her.
A woman was also arrested at the scene for assault a special police officer who works in the apartment complex. Details surrounding that incident were not shared, but Smith said she is the sister of the girl who was shot.
When asked who owned the gun and whether it was a ghost gun, Smith said officers don’t know yet, adding that the investigation is in the preliminary stages.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
During the brief news conference, Smith emphasized the importance of gun safety and said it can’t be talked about enough.
“If we have firearms in our home, we expect to keep our firearms locked, and especially away from our young children,” said Smith.
