A 5-year-old girl from Louisiana died after shooting herself accidentally using her father's unsecured handgun. The handgun was left by her father on the table, and was apparently, unsecured.
Preparing To Watch 'Angry Birds'
Reports have it that Eric Moore, Haley Moore's father, was in the shower when he heard the gunshot. The father and his children were preparing to go out and watch "Angry Birds" movie.
According to Washington Post, when Eric heard the gunshot, he immediately got out of the shower, and that was when he saw Haley, having already shot herself. Investigators reported that the bullet entered the chest of Haley and exited right under her left arm.
'My Sister Shot Herself'
An older sibling of Haley ran out of the house shouting, "My sister shot herself." The girl was traumatized and one neighbor, Joy Ursin, had to take in the children into her home to give some comfort to them.
The incident happened around 9:30 a.m., and paramedics rushed outside the house of the Moore's. The other siblings, according to Ursin, were shouting as they ran out of the house.
Dying From Injuries
Paramedics administered first-aid and rushed Haley to the hospital. However, the girl died of her injuries said NBC News.
Ursin also told police authorities that Haley's parents were divorced. Every other weekend, the children would be staying together with Eric. She also described Eric as someone who takes gun safety seriously.
The children have stayed with Eric for several times and Eric makes it a point to secure his guns. According to Ursin, he's a retired military officer and all that he has is his guns and his kids. He is a careful man who is not ignorant about the dangers of guns.
Devastated
Ursin also said that Eric was devastated about the incident. They have already spoken to him but clearly the father was devastated.
According to the latest 2016 statistics, about 94 children accidentally shot themselves or somebody else with unsecured guns. In 2015, about 278 incidents were recorded.