Young child fired shotgun at 2 siblings, killing 1, investigators say

ELLSWORTH, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) – A young child fired a shotgun, shooting two siblings and killing one of them, according to investigators.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said a 5-year-old is dead and an 8-year-old is critically injured after the shooting.

A 911 call made around 3:15 p.m. Saturday reported that two children were severely injured in a shooting in Ellsworth, Kansas.

Authorities responded to a home and found a 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy with critical injuries.

Despite life-saving measures, the 5-year-old child died at the scene. The 8-year-old child was flown to a hospital, where he is in critical condition.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said preliminary information indicates that a young child picked up a loaded, unsecured shotgun and fired it, shooting the two children.

Ellsworth County Sheriff Kenny Bernard shared ways to keep tragedies like this one from happening.

He said guns should be kept locked in a gun cabinet or gun safe.

“When you’re done with the shoot, you should empty your firearm in the field, carry it back to your vehicle, safely store it in the vehicle, away from the ammunition as well,” Bernard said.

The investigation is ongoing.

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