1-Year-Old Fatally Shot By 3-Year-Old Sibling In San Diego County

FALLBROOK, CA — A 3-year-old accidentally shot and killed their 1-year-old sibling Monday in northern San Diego County, authorities said.

The shooting was reported at 7:30 a.m. at a home in the 1100 block of S. Stagecoach Lane in Fallbrook, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies confirmed a 3-year-old got ahold of an unsecured handgun and found the 1-year-old with a head injury, sheriff's Lt. Joseph Jarjura said. The girl was taken to Palomar Hospital, but she was pronounced dead at about 8:30 a.m.

"The Sheriff's Department extends our sympathies to the family and those affected by this death," Jarjura said. "Sheriff's Homicide investigators are working to gather more information to determine the circumstances of the death."

There were no outstanding suspects and there was no threat to the community, Jarjura said.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of the girl's death. Her name was not released.

No other information was immediately available.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the department's Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-565-5200. Anonymous tipsters can call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.