Houston police investigating accidental shooting that killed 8-year-old girl

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- An 8-year-old girl has died after being shot in the stomach.

The Houston Police Department said officers were called to an apartment at about 12:30 p.m. in the 2200 block of Hayes Road near Wickersham Lane.

Investigators said the girl was inside the apartment with her grandfather when a single shot went off.

Her grandfather called 911 and reported the shooting as accidental.

Investigators said the child was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police have not determined who fired the weapon but said the gun appears to be a revolver that was later found on a bed.

"Here is the plea to the parents, to the caregivers: Please lock up your weapons. These are senseless. These are preventable," HPD Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu said. "Always keep your guns unloaded. Teach gun safety to your kids. Tell them not to touch the weapons."

The shooting marks the third child shot in Houston in the last eight days, and the second leading to a death.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fourth child shot on June 30.

SEE ALSO: 4-year-old girl hospitalized after being shot in southwest Houston, HPD says

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