Three-Year-Old Girl Shot By Five-Year-Old Boy In Colorado

A 5-year-old boy shot and critically injured a 3-year-old girl in Pueblo, Colorado, on Monday, using a handgun that belonged to her mother’s boyfriend, police said in a report according to Reuters.

The girl was shot in the backyard of her home when a 9-year-old boy, who was playing with the two other children, gave the handgun to the 5-year-old, who then pointed it at the girl and pulled the trigger, shooting her once. The bullet went through the girl’s body without breaking any bones, Pueblo police said in a statement, Reuters reported.

The girl was airlifted to a hospital in Colorado Springs, about 44 miles north of Pueblo, where she is said to be in a critical but stable condition following a surgery, the police said, adding that, "When the 9 year-old was asked how he was able to manipulate the handgun, he said he learned it from video games like Black Ops."

Due to their age, the two boys who handled the gun will not face charges but an investigation will focus on how the older boy got hold of the firearm, police said, adding that the girl’s mother was present at the home along with her boyfriend, Adrian Chavez, 22, when the shooting took place.

Chavez reportedly fled the location after the shooting, and was caught by police five hours later.

"Chavez will be charged with child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury for the gun that was left unattended," police said, adding that he also had an outstanding warrant for not appearing in court in an unrelated case.