ACTION NEWS JAX INVESTIGATES: What would your child do if they discover a gun?
Police said three Jacksonville children were home alone when an 8-year-old boy found a gun inside an apartment and accidentally fired it, killing his 5-year-old sister and injuring a 4-year-old neighbor.
The 8-year-old found the gun inside an apartment at Roosevelt Gardens, police said.
Photos: Girl killed, brother hurt in accidental shooting at Jacksonville apartment
JSO: 8 yo boy fired a gun this afternoon inside apartment, killing his sister and injuring his brother. @ActionNewsJax
— Kevin Clark (@KClark_News) February 5, 2017
Police said the 8-year-old and 4-year-old ran next door and told a neighbor Serenity Allen had been shot.
The 4-year-old boy's injuries are not considered life-threatening, police said.
The three children were alone inside the apartment, according to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Family members gave me this picture of 5-year old Serenity Allen, the little girl killed in today's tragic shooting. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/nmHJraGahm
— Kevin Clark (@KClark_News) February 5, 2017
Officers said the mother of the Serenity and the 8-year-old may have gone to the store. They are investigating where the gun was and how the 8-year-old got access to it.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is investigating what led to the shooting.
“It comes down to responsible gun ownership, and securing your weapons within your home, making sure they’re locked up and making sure children don’t have access to them," Chief Chris Butler with Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said.
REST IN PEACE: This is 5-year-old Serenity Allen, the little girl who was shot and killed by her 8-year-old...
Posted by Action News Jax on Saturday, February 4, 2017
Police say the three young children were alone in the apartment. Mother had left, possibly to go to the store @ActionNewsJax
— Kevin Clark (@KClark_News) February 5, 2017
JSO: 2 children each under 10 years old shot inside an apartment. One is dead, other has non-life threatening injuries @ActionNewsJax
— Kevin Clark (@KClark_News) February 4, 2017
Police say it's unclear how the child got access to the gun @ActionNewsJax
— Kevin Clark (@KClark_News) February 5, 2017
JSO says mother and 8 year old son are with police. Any possible charges are pending. We already know DCF is involved. @ActionNewsJax
— Kevin Clark (@KClark_News) February 5, 2017
Police brief family members as other loved ones embraced. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/W5uYyW7wFH
— Kevin Clark (@KClark_News) February 4, 2017
#BREAKING Reports of shots fired in North Jacksonville. Woman is screaming. She says her grandchild was hurt. pic.twitter.com/tzs4FqTMmE
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) February 4, 2017
Crime Scene Unit arrived & more officers keep arriving. pic.twitter.com/AjRgt9WZDI
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) February 4, 2017
Fire chief also on scene. pic.twitter.com/9kjNXrUQ2V
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) February 4, 2017
Family screaming now: "That's my baby." @ActionNewsJax
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) February 4, 2017
Woman yelling: "Where did the gun come from?" pic.twitter.com/UKfiSymnoG
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) February 4, 2017
Police just talked to family. They are now screaming and saying someone is gone.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) February 4, 2017
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