8-Month-Old Baby Shot Dead By 3-Year-Old Brother, Houston Police Say

An 8-month-old baby in Texas who died Friday from a gunshot wound to the abdomen was most likely shot by his own 3-year-old brother, Houston police said.

The Houston Police Department, at approximately 11 a.m. Friday, responded to a welfare check at the Memorial Hermann Hospital in Memorial City. Indications suggested that the victim's older brother may have fired the shot that killed the infant at an apartment complex in west Houston, HPD Assistant Chief Wendy Baimbridge told reporters in a press briefing.

"Most likely at this point... it looks like his 3-year-old sibling is the one who discharged the weapon," Baimbridge said. "It was just one gunshot to the abdomen."

"From what I understand, [the eight-month-old baby] was pronounced [dead] at the hospital," she added.

The names of the boys have not been disclosed by authorities.

Police said the incident occurred at the apartment in the 3100 block of Crestdale Drive near Kempwood, with four adults being present in the home at the time of the shooting. Police said it will inquire why the adults did not contact 911 after the incident.

The gun was missing for several hours before being found in the vehicle that the family used to bring the infant to the hospital, police said in an update. It remains unclear how the child got hold of the firearm.

No charges have been filed at this time. Baimbridge told reporters of possible charges, "That's going to be up to the Homicide Division and the District Attorney's office."

Baimbridge described the incident as a "heartbreaking" and "tragic event." She asked parents and guardians to be more responsible with how they store their firearm.

"I just wanted to take this moment to say and plead with parents and guardians all over to not allow your firearms to be accessible to anyone in the house," Baimbridge said.

She added, "There are things that you can do to render that weapon safe."