FAIRMONT, Minn. — Sheriff's investigators in southern Minnesota are looking into what they call an accidental shooting involving a four-year-old child, who reportedly found a gun and shot a 2-year-old sibling.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office says deputies were dispatched shortly before 10:30 a.m. Sunday to an emergency call from a vehicle on the 1300 block of 130th Ave. The caller said they were en route to the city of Fairmont for medical care.
Deputies intercepted the vehicle and began providing lifesaving care for a 2-year-old until paramedics arrived, and the child was flown via air ambulance to a hospital in Rochester.
Investigators spoke with those involved in the incident and learned that a 4-year-old child riding in the back seat of the vehicle found a loaded handgun and accidentally shot his or her 2-year-old sibling, who was also in the back.
Martin County Chief Deputy Corey Klanderud confirmed for KARE 11 that the person who was in the vehicle with the children and called 911 was a parent. He would not say if the gun in the back seat belonged to that person. The chief deputy says the sheriff's department has not been updated on the child's condition.
Klanderud said investigators have presented their findings to the Martin County Attorney's Office for potential criminal charges in the case.
KARE 11 is following this case and will share developments as they become available.
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