Boy, 3, Accidentally Shoots Sister, 9, Dead With Great-Grandfather's Pistol

Authorities in Irondale, Alabama say Kimi Reylander was fatally shot in the head by her little brother on Saturday.

A nine-year-old girl was accidentally shot in the head by her three-year-old little brother over the weekend, authorities say.

Police in Alabama say Irondale third grader Kimi Reylander was critically wounded Saturday before being rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Kimi was reportedly shot after her brother found their great-grandfather's gun on a nightstand in his home.

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"It appears to be a tragic accident," Irondale Police Chief Ken Atkinson told AL.com.

Upon hearing the gunshot, the great-grandfather, Joel Watson, ran to the bedroom.

"I came in and when I came in the door, my son came out and said she had been shot," he told WIAT.

Watson said he left the firearm out without knowing his great-grandchildren were coming to visit.

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Atkinson called the incident another sad lesson in firearm safety and urged gun owners to keep their weapons out of sight at all times.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral expenses. It can be found here.

According to the Washington Post, Kimi is the fifth person to be hurt in an accidental shooting by a toddler since Jan. 1. Also this year, at least four toddlers have accidentally shot themselves.

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