Juanita Martin shot and killed by her sister.

[penelopejo]

http://www.39online.com/news/local/k...tory?track=rss

video at link

A 12-year-old Galveston girl is dead after she was accidental shot inside her home, said police.

It happened around 8:45 on Sunday morning on the 3500 block of Avenue N 1/2.

Police say the girl was home alone with two of her sisters. The three were playing with their mother's pistol when it went off and hit the girl in the chest.

When police arrived at the home, they found 12-year-old Juanita Martin unresponsive. She was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital were she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

A makeshift memorial of stuffed animals and flowers grew outside the child's home as news of the shooting spread throughout the neighborhood.

"It's very hurtful because I was in shock when it happened. I had just gotten off work when they told me what had happened and I was like what," said Alma Parson.

Galveston police believe Martin was accidentally shot by her 16-year-old sister.

So far no charges have been filed against the teen or the children's mother. Galveston police are still investigating.

[runecire]

Another dead child becuase of irresponsible gun ownership. Very sad.

The three were playing with thier mother's pistol

WHY?! So many "whys".

Rest in peace, Juanita. I wish your mother and siblings had been smarter.

[penelopejo]

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news...hooting_sister

A 16-year-old Galveston girl has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the accidental shooting death of her 12-year-old sister.

Lt. D.J. Alvarez of the Galveston Police Department said Monday that their mother also may face charges for making a firearm accessible to a child. Alvarez said the mother was not in the home when the incident occurred.

The teenager was playing with a gun when it accidentally went off Sunday morning, striking her sister in her upper torso. The younger girl then died at a hospital.

The 16-year-old is being held at the Galveston County Juvenile Detention Center.

[Misskittychaos]

I'll personally most likely never own a gun, but I do like the firing range. I don't think guns should be ban but this is the prime example of why some people shouldn't own guns. It should have been under lock and key and if you can afford a trigger lock and lock box it shouldn't be at home with children. Also, call me crazy but at 16 her sister should have KNOWN better. I am not trying to be a bitch but I knew from a VERY young age guns were not toys and they were to be treated with respect. Charges or not this is going to be be very hard for the older sister.