5-year-old girl remains in critical condition after shot by 3-year-old brother in DC

1 arrested and facing charges

WASHINGTON - A five-year-old girl is fighting for her life after she was accidentally shot in her home by her younger brother. The shooting occurred in an apartment on Galveston Street in Southeast Washington around 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The children's mother was running errands, and a family friend was watching them. Police say the three-year-old boy got access to an unsecured gun and shot his five-year-old sister.

READ MORE: 3-year-old boy shoots sister, 5, in DC

Young victim remains hospitalized

"This incident highlights the danger of unsecured firearms in homes, especially around children. We want to emphasize the importance of firearm safety. We’re asking everyone to keep our young female victim in their prayers," said D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith from the scene Monday.

The man who was babysitting was arrested and is facing cruelty to children charges. The girl remains in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the chest.