Harris County: 4-year-old girl dies in accidental shooting

A 4-year-old girl died after discovering her mother's firearm in a closet in northwest Harris County, Texas, on a Thursday night. The Harris County Sheriff's Office reported that the child was found alone in the closet and accidentally shot herself.

Although the girl's mother and 10-year-old sibling were home at the time of the incident, the child was by herself when the shooting occurred. Investigators noted that the firearm, which belonged to the mother, did not appear to be secured.

Sergeant Jason Brown of the Harris County Sheriff's Office stated that officials are interviewing the mother and the sibling to determine how the child accessed the closet and the weapon. While investigators currently believe the shooting was accidental, authorities noted that charges against the mother remain a possibility.