Cops: 8-year-old boy accidentally shot by 9-year-old sister in DeLand

DELAND, Fla. — DeLand police said an 8-year-old boy was critically injured when his 9-year-old sister got hold of a gun and accidentally shot him.

Police were called to the home on Parsons Avenue about 6:30 p.m. The boy's sister got a hold of her parents' gun and fired, police said. The gun went off and struck the 8-year-old, police said.

Doctors at Arnold Palmer Children's hospital are trying to save the boy, who remains in critical condition.

"What we know right now is that there were five children under the age of 10 home alone in the house," said Sgt. Chris Estes of the DeLand Police Department.

DeLand police said they trying to find out how the children were able to gain access to a loaded gun.

"It's stupidity on her behalf. If you have a gun, don't have it loaded in the house," said a neighbor.

Police said a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old were supposed to be babysitting the five children, but went to a store near the Parsons Avenue home. That is when the incident happened.

"Keep your firearm secure and out of the reach of children," said Estes.

Police said they did not know if the Department of Children and Families would be brought in to investigate.

The names of those involved have not been released.

WFTV