An 11-year-old boy has tragically died after being shot in the head with a rifle by his 12-year-old sister while rabbit hunting.
The freak incident happened during a family trip in Mississippi after the two siblings were out hunting for rabbits on Saturday with their 19-year-old stepbrother. The boy had knelt to hand his sister the rifle so she could have a turn shooting at the rabbit but as he stood up she pulled the trigger and he was shot in the head.
Horrified family members quickly rushed to help as emergency services rushed to the scene. The boy was taken to a nearby hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
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Despite sustaining critical and life-threatening injuries from the 22-calibre rifle gunshot, he continued to fight for his life but sadly succumbed to his injuries. The young boy was tragically pronounced dead after being first transported to Forrest General Hospital and then to the University of Mississippi Medical Centre in Jackson, according to Jones County Sheriff's Office.
The children have not been identified due to their ages. However, it is unclear if any charges will be filed against the 12-year-old sister or family members, with the incident being labelled a "tragic shooting" by investigators. "Right now, our investigation is sadly ongoing," said Colonel Jerry Carter, chief of law enforcement for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Jones County Sheriff's Department public information officer Lance Chancellor labelled the shooting "tragic" and said it took an emotional toll on everyone involved at the weekend.
The Chancellor said that the boy's organs could save other lives after they were donated following his death: "Out of this horrible tragedy, some child or children somewhere around the country will receive organ donations that could be the gift of life."
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The tragic shooting comes just days after a 36-year-old man was shot "between the eyes" as he reached for his rifle on the top shelf of a closet in his home. Willie Hall Lack reached for his weapon when the 380-calibre handgun rifle decided to discharge. Fortunately, he was able to walk to a neighbour's house for medical assistance.
Police believe that by pulling the rifle, Lack fired the handgun as it appeared to have entered the right bridge of his nose and exited the top left side of his forehead. The bizarre injury left officers baffled as JCSD Sgt. Denny Graham called Lack "extremely lucky to be alive" and another first responder described him as a "walking miracle". Others admitted that "it just wasn’t his time to go” following the very narrow escape.