Alabama sheriff says 5-year-old boy shot himself in head in fatal, ‘tragic’ accident
Criminal charges were not expected to be filed in the fatal shooting of a 5-year-old boy that authorities in Alabama said was an accident.
The boy accidentally shot himself in the head Sunday while inside the family’s vehicle that was parked at a home in Harvest, news outlets reported.
A parent found the wounded child and called authorities. The boy was taken to a hospital in Madison where he was pronounced dead, according to news outlets.
“This is a tragic situation and our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner said in a news release.
The boy’s name has not been released.
Madison County Schools spokesman Tim Hall confirmed the boy was a student in the district and said counselors would be provided to staff “who might need someone to talk with following this tragedy,” WAFF-TV reported.