4-Year-Old Girl, Makalah McKay, Dies After Being Accidentally Shot By Another Child In Englewood

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 4-year-old girl has died after she was accidentally shot by another child Thursday evening in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood.

As CBS 2's Jermont Terry reported, this is another case of someone leaving a loaded gun in reach of children. Chicago Police said another small child accidentally shot the 4-year-old in the chest.

Crews rushed the girl to the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital, but she did not survive.

The girl's mother identified her as Makalah McKay – a precious young child who was killed because someone failed to lock or store a loaded gun properly.

At 6 p.m., Makalah was in a duplex in the 6400 block of South Carpenter Street when she was accidentally shot. Police were blocking off the front entrance of the building hours later, and we spotted officers taking photographs in the first-floor living room.

The preliminary investigation shows a man visiting the home brought with him a bag, and inside the bag was a loaded gun. Police said the man left the bag unattended.

Somehow, Makalah and a second child went through the bag. The second child, who we are told is also very young, found the gun.

That child fired, hitting Makalah in her chest.

The girl's grandmother was visibly shaken at the scene, while at the hospital, Makalah's mother tried, to speak, but broke down after learning her 4-year-old daughter did not survive.

Family was gathered outside Comer Children's late into the night. Police did take a man into the district station for questioning – it is believed he was the one who brought the weapon into the house.

Investigators have not said if the gun was registered or not.

In:
• Shooting
• Englewood