EC girl (5) dies after brother (6) accidentally shoots her with revolver
A five-year-old girl has died after her six-year-old brother accidentally shot her with a .38 revolver in Bethelsdorp, in the Eastern Cape.
Gqeberha police confirmed they were investigating a case of culpable homicide following the incident on Thursday afternoon.
Three minors, two boys aged six and the girl, were reportedly playing with the firearm in a room at Extension 31 when a shot went off.
The girl was struck in the head and immediately rushed to hospital in critical condition.
On Friday morning, police confirmed the girl had died.
"Sadly the five-year-old girl died last night in hospital,” said police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu.
At the same time, Naidu said police were investigating a case of defeating the ends of justice after the firearm was removed from the scene.
"On police arrival, the firearm was allegedly removed and could not be found. A charge of defeating the ends of justice is opened for further investigation."
#sapsEC A case of culpable homicide will be added to the defeating the ends of justice case following an incident where it is alleged that a 6yr-old boy accidentally shot his 5yr-old sister on 11/08 in Bethelsdorp. MEhttps://t.co/45kT3JxtcT pic.twitter.com/v9zEgkW5Qx
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 12, 2022
Naidu said more charges could be added and more arrests made as the investigation unfolds.
She said it was still unclear who the gun belonged to or how the children gained access to it, as these were questions that formed part of the investigation.
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