Girl Fatally Shot By 2-Year-Old Brother

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- Police are trying to determine how a 2-year-old Fresno boy got ahold of a gun with which he accidentally shot and killed his 6-year-old sister.

Sgt. Stephen Viveros tells the Fresno Bee the victim was playing with two other siblings in a bedroom in the family's home on Sunday when the toddler walked into the room with a loaded semi-automatic handgun. He says the boy fired a shot that mortally wounded his sister.

Viveros says officers seized a number of other weapons from the residence, home to five children, ages 2 to 15.

The Bee reports that the gun's owner was in another room when the shooting happened and could be charged with failing to secure the weapon.

Under California law, adults who allow children access to guns can face felony charges. Viveros says investigators have not yet decided whether to recommend that the district attorney prosecute the case.

The Fresno County Coroner's Office identified the 6-year-old girl on Monday as Emily Lavender.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)