Watch CBS News

Young Boy In ICU After 10-Year-Old Cousin Accidentally Shot Him And His Sister

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) — A young boy is in critical condition after he and his sister were accidentally shot by their cousin Thursday morning.

The boy and a girl, between five and seven years old, were both hit with a single shot. The boy's wound is to his chest. His sister was hit in the arm.

Fort Worth police say the shooting happened at a house in the 2100 block of Sanborn Street after the younger children found the gun in a tub, under some clothing. Their 10-year-old cousin saw the kids with the weapon and it discharged as she tried to take it from them.

Rather than call 911, a family member put the injured children in a car and drove them to Cook Children's Medical Center.

Fort Worth children shot 2
(credit: Jason Allen/CBS 11 News)

Thursday afternoon the 10-year-old girl sat crosslegged, on the ground, trying to explain to investigators how she accidentally shot her cousins.

Neighbor Judy Avery told a CBS 11 News crew that the kids were being cared for by a grandmother. "She takes care of those kids too. She takes them to school every day. She makes sure they're bathed. She comes out in the front yard to sit with 'em. She's great with those kids."

Police are still trying to determine who owned the gun and find out how it ended up in a place where the kids had access to it.

No one has been arrested in relation to the incident, but police say charges were possible depending on what they learn about the weapon.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.