Colorado Toddler Accidentally Shot, Killed By 7-Year-Old Brother With Shotgun

A Colorado toddler died Tuesday (April 21) after she was accidentally shot by her 7-year-old brother.

The 3-year-old Westminster girl, Ruby Jackson, suffered a gunshot wound from an unsecured, loaded shotgun, according to Westminster Police Department officers on the scene at a home on Moore Circle. Her 24-year-old mother Michaela Dawn Harman and another sibling were home at the time of the accident.

The child was taken to a trauma center by emergency services via Westminster Fire Department, but she succumbed to severe injuries.

Following the girl's passing, Harman was arrested on child abuse resulting in death charges by the Westminster Police Department and was transported to the Jefferson County Jail, with her remaining children in the custody of Jefferson County Human Services.

According to the arrest affidavit, the toddler succumbed to a shotgun blast to the chest while playing a game called "swords" with her older brother that morning. Ruby had picked up a broomstick, but her brother found a .12 gauge shotgun on the couch in the home before accidentally discharging the firearm at his sister.

When officers reached the home, the young boy came forward with his hands up, telling the officers at the scene, "I’m sorry, I was playing with the gun. I didn’t know it was loaded."

Harman was outside smoking a cigarette when the incident occurred. She hurried inside when she heard the shot, realizing she had left the loaded shotgun near the couch before heading to bed the previous night, citing concerns that potential intruders were trying to break into her home over the past few days. Police had been called to the home each time but had not found any evidence of any foul play.

Harman first appeared in court over the case Wednesday. She was released from custody until her next court hearing with the promise that she would show up in court and will be represented by a public defender, according to local Denver news. There was no further investigation, it appears, into any potential forced entry at the home.