- An 11-year-old boy died after his 12-year-old sister shot him in the head with a .22-caliber rifle
- The young siblings were hunting rabbits with their 19-year-old stepbrother at their grandmother's house in Jones County, Mississippi
- Officers described the incident as a 'tragic accident' but said the investigation was ongoing
An 11-year-old boy was tragically killed after his 12-year-old sister shot him in the head with a shotgun during a family hunting trip.
The two Mississippi youths were hunting rabbits with their 19-year-old stepbrother at their grandmother's home on Alex Knight Road on Saturday when the heartbreaking shooting occurred.
During the hunt, the boy knelt down to hand his sister the gun so she could shoot the rabbit once, but when he stood up she pulled the trigger and he was shot in the head, according to local reports.
Family members immediately responded to render aid and EMS ambulance rushed him to a hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
He continued to fight for his life despite sustaining critical and life-threatening injuries from the gunfire from the .22-caliber rifle.
Two Mississippi teens were hunting rabbits with their 19-year-old stepbrother at their grandmother's home on Alex Knight Road on Saturday when a heartbreaking shooting occurred
During the hunting trip, the boy knelt down to hand his sister the gun so she could shoot the rabbit once – but when he stood up she pulled the trigger and he was shot in the head.
Lance Chancellor, public information officer for the Jones County Sheriff's Department, described the situation as “tragic” and said it took an emotional toll on everyone involved.
Family members immediately responded to provide the 11-year-old with aid and EMS ambulance rushed him to a hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The young boy was sadly pronounced dead after being transported first to Forrest General Hospital and then to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, the Jones County Sheriff's Office reported.
The children involved have not been publicly identified due to their ages.
Officers have not announced whether charges will be filed in the 11-year-old's death, but they called the shooting a “tragic accident” and said the investigation is ongoing.
“At this time, unfortunately, our investigation is ongoing,” said Col. Jerry Carter, chief law enforcement officer for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Carter took charge of the investigation because the shooting was related to the hunt.
In the first statement, Carter said, “It was a young lady who shot her brother. It was in Jones County.
Public Information Officer for the Jones County Sheriff's Department Lance Chancellor described the situation as 'tragic' and said it took an emotional toll on everyone involved.
The young boy was sadly pronounced dead after being transported first to Forrest General Hospital and then to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson
Officers have not announced whether charges will be filed in the 11-year-old's death, but they are calling the shooting a “tragic accident” and say the investigation into exactly what happened is ongoing.
“At this time, unfortunately, our investigation is ongoing,” said Col. Jerry Carter, chief law enforcement officer for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Carter took charge of the investigation because the shooting was related to the hunt
The Chancellor said the boy's organs could save other lives: “This terrible tragedy means that one or more children somewhere in the country will receive organ donations that could be the gift of life.”
Another shotgun-related incident in Jones County Last weekend, a 36-year-old man was shot “between the eyes” as he reached for his gun on the top shelf of a closet in his home.
Willie Hall Lack's reach for his weapon apparently caused the .380-caliber pistol underneath to fire – but he was able to walk to a neighbor's house for medical attention.
Investigators believe pulling the gun somehow caused the 36-year-old to fire the gun.
It appeared the bullet entered the right bridge of Lack's nose and exited the top left side of his forehead.
JCSD Sgt. Denny Graham said 'he's extremely lucky to be alive' and another aid worker described him as a 'walking miracle'.