8-year-old shot and killed by his younger brother in what authorities believe was a tragic accident

Authored by edition.cnn.com and submitted by zigzagconsul952
image for 8-year-old shot and killed by his younger brother in what authorities believe was a tragic accident

(CNN) An 8-year-old boy was shot and killed by his 5-year-old brother Thursday in what Arkansas authorities believe was an accidental shooting.

"This is a tragic incident that could have been avoided. I can't emphasize strongly enough that guns need to be well secured and kept out of the hands and away from children at all times," Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

"Gun owners that do not properly secure their firearms are just one split second away from one of these tragedies happening in their home," he said.

The shooting, at a residence on the outskirts of Pine Bluff, remains under investigation, the sheriff's office said. Pine Bluff, a city of around 40,000 residents, is 44 miles south of Little Rock.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services was notified of the shooting and arrived at the home to help assess the children's welfare in the home. The boy's body will be transferred to the state medical examiner's office for an autopsy, the sheriff's office said.

Greenmind76 on July 15th, 2022 at 05:29 UTC »

When I was 13 or do I was nearly shot by my friends 6 year old brother after he came to show me a hunting rifle he got for his birthday. Kid pulls the trigger and shoots the couch about 3 feet away.

joedasee on July 15th, 2022 at 04:26 UTC »

Poor brother is gonna be FUCKED up for life.

code_archeologist on July 15th, 2022 at 04:20 UTC »

Tragic Accident?

How about criminal neglect and negligent homicide. No child should be able to access a gun in the house.