8-year-old boy accidentally shot, killed by 10-year-old brother with shotgun at NW Harris County apartment, sheriff says

HOUSTON – An 8-year-old boy was killed after being accidentally shot by his 10-year-old brother at an apartment complex in northwest Harris County, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

The incident was reported just before 3 p.m. at the Bear Creek Crossing Apartments, located in the 5600 block of Timber Creek Place Drive.

Deputies said the 10-year-old was handling or playing with a shotgun when it discharged and struck his sibling. The 8-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. A 13-year-old sibling was also inside the apartment at the time of the shooting but he was not injured and called 911.

“As a parent, no one should ever have to go through that,” neighbor Kendra Davis said. “It’s horrible that this is happening on a daily basis. Something needs to be done. It’s out of control.”

Investigators believe all three siblings were alone at the time of the shooting. The boys were not enrolled in school at the time because the family recently moved to Houston, the sheriff said.

“These situations are preventable. Children should never have access to weapons. Anything could happen,” Gonzalez said.

Child crimes and crime scene investigators are investigating this case, in which Gonzalez said charges are possible. Investigators are looking into who owned the shotgun.

“We’ve talked in the past about the importance of safe storage, securing weapons, responsible gun ownership,” Gonzalez said. “This appears to be a tragic situation of what could happen when that doesn’t occur. Our condolences out to the family. They’re extremely devastated by what has occurred here this afternoon.”

Parents with guns around their homes may want to look into getting a free gun lock from Project Child Safe to help prevent children from accessing weapons.