A five-year-old boy fatally shot his 12-year-old brother with a gun he thought was a toy. The incident took place in Griffin, Georgia on Saturday night and is currently being investigated by police.
Officers found the victim with a gunshot wound to his chest and rushed him to Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital where he later died from his injury.
Not the Usual Story
Incidents like this often happen when a child discovers a gun inside the house belonging to an adult living there. However, in this case, investigators believe that three children found the gun in a wooded area where they were playing and believed it was a toy.
Interviews were conducted with the two surviving witnesses, both siblings to the 12-year-old, ages 5 and 7. “The interview produced extensive evidence that the 5-year-old found a gun in the wooded area near the location of the shooting … and, thinking it was a toy, accidentally discharged it,” police said.
Earlier in the day, officers were near the family’s home searching for suspects who were fleeing a traffic stop. During their search, police discovered a bag which they suspected was filled wit the party drug MDMA. This was in the same area where authorities believe the gun was found.
Police are now searching for who abandoned the firearm. According to a statement from the Griffin Police Department, the weapon and child’s clothing were sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for analysis to find out who the firearm belongs to.
They also expressed sympathy to the family during “this time of tragic loss.” Names of the children and family involved were not released to the public.
Chief Mike Yates was quoted in the press release, saying, “We will leave no stone unturned as we search for the individuals responsible for the abandonment of this weapon.”
5 year old shoots brother — Sources
Fox 5 — Police: 5 year old accidentally shoots brother in Griffin
City of Griffin Police Department — Press Release