Washington, D.C.- A young girl, just 5 years old, is currently battling for her life in Washington, D.C., after being accidentally shot by her 3-year-old brother with a gun that was not properly secured.
Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department addressed the media shortly after the incident on Monday, Dec. 16, revealing that a 5-year-old sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body when “a younger child accessed a firearm that was unsecured in the apartment.”
A police report reveals that the child was shot in the chest while in the living room of the home.
After officers arrived, the girl received immediate assistance but was subsequently transported to the hospital in serious condition, where she is currently hospitalized for treatment of critical injuries, according to a press release issued on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The release did not include the child’s name.
Smith mentioned that an adult male responsible for supporting or caring for the children was at the home during the incident while their mother was out running errands. She referred to the man as a “long-time family friend.”
A 59-year-old man named Darrell Graham was taken into custody at the location and faces charges of First Degree Cruelty to Children, according to the press release.
Police carried out a search warrant at a residence and found the ammunition and firearm involved in the shooting, identified as a ghost gun.
According to United Against Gun Violence, ghost guns are firearms that lack serial numbers, making them untraceable. They are assembled from components bought as kits or individual parts and are capable of functioning as real guns.
A 21-year-old woman, identified as D’Jaunae McCrory Jackson and thought to be the victim’s sister, has been charged with multiple offenses, including First Degree Cruelty to Children, Criminally Negligent Storage of a Firearm, and various weapons-related charges.
McCrory Jackson was arrested and charged with Assault on a Police Officer. Authorities allege that she attacked officers from the MPD and special police who arrived at the scene of the shooting.
“What I want to emphasize tonight is that this incident really highlights the danger of unsecured firearms in homes and especially around children,” said Smith during Monday’s press conference.
“We want to emphasize the importance of firearm safety and we are asking everyone to keep our young female victim in your prayers at this time,” she added.