5-year-old shot by child playing with unsecured gun in Southwest DC

WASHINGTON - A young girl is fighting for her life after being shot by her younger brother Monday evening in Southwest D.C., authorities confirmed. 

D.C. Police responded to a call around 6:30 p.m. in the unit block of Galveston Place, where they found the victim, a 5-year-old girl, inside an apartment. She was conscious and breathing but suffering from serious injuries. 

The girl was immediately transported to a local hospital in serious condition, where she remains in critical condition, according to D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith.

Chief Smith said the shooting occurred when the younger sibling, believed to be about 3 years old, accessed an unsecured firearm in the apartment. 

The gunshot wound was to the victim’s upper body. 

"This incident highlights the danger of unsecured firearms in homes, especially around children," Chief Smith told reporters. "We want to emphasize the importance of firearm safety. We’re asking everyone to keep our young female victim in their prayers."

Following the incident, police arrested a man in the apartment, who is now facing charges of cruelty to children. 

The woman, who was arrested for assaulting a special police officer at the apartment complex, is the victim's sister.

Authorities say the mother of the victim had left the child in the care of the male suspect while she ran errands. 

"When we have firearms in our homes, there’s an expectation to keep our firearms locked up, especially around young children," Chief Smith said.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.

FOX 5's Shomari Stone contributed to this report.