Watch CBS News

Boy, 9, Shoots Sister, 11, With BB Gun

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Riverside police and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services were investigating an incident in which a boy shot his sister with a BB gun.

The children were home alone Tuesday afternoon, when the 9-year-old boy shot his 11-year-old sister in the forehead with a pump-action BB rifle, according to Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel.

Another child, a neighbor, flagged down a passing police officer.

The metal BB was lodged under the girl's skin, Weitzel said.

"The shot wasn't actually too far away from her eye socket. It could have been much more serious than it was," he said. "The victim was transported by Riverside paramedics to Loyola Hospital in Maywood. She was treated and she was released back to her parents."

Both kids told police it was an accident. The boy said he was playing with the gun, pointing it at his sister, and he didn't know it was loaded.

Weitzel said their mother, who was out shopping, could face charges for leaving her children home alone.

Podcast

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.