9-year-old girl shot in back by 5-year-old

On Dec. 30, Madera County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call that a 9-year-old girl had been shot.

The call came from someone transporting the child to a hospital. Shortly thereafter, deputies received a report from a local hospital of a juvenile who arrived with a gunshot injury, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Kayla Serratto.

MCSO deputies were ultimately able to determine that the incident occurred at a residence in the 20000 block of Avenue 6 in Madera. Upon arrival at the residence, Corporal Earl O’Neal and Deputy Marcos Plascencia discovered an unsecured Ruger .22 caliber rifle in a common area of the home. After obtaining witness statements, it was revealed that the 9-year-old girl was playing with a 5-year-old cousin inside the home, when the 5-year-old got hold of the firearm and accidentally shot the 9-year-old in the back. The family transported her to a local hospital and called to report the incident.

The 9-year-old girl was in stable condition, and is currently being treated at the local hospital.

The rifle, along with all ammunition, was collected by deputies. The investigation remains ongoing. Though the incident appears to be accidental in nature, a report was forwarded to the Madera County District Attorney’s Office requesting a charge of criminal storage of a firearm against the owner of the residence.