Mar. 11, 2012: Police tow a van as evidence after a police officer's daughter was accidentally shot by her brother inside it. (Q13 Fox)
STANWOOD, Wash. – The 7-year-old daughter of a Washington state police officer died Sunday after being accidentally shot by her brother, Q13 Fox reports.
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said the siblings were in a silver van when the brother found the gun in the glove compartment. The brother then accidentally shot the sister inside the vehicle.
Authorities did not give the age of the brother, but did say he was younger than his sister. The girl also had two other younger siblings, who were also in the van at the time of the shooting.
The parents of the children were reportedly nearby, but police did not say whether they were also inside the vehicle.
The gun was registered to the police officer and the officer is also the owner of the car.
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Division is investigating the shooting at the request of the Stanwood Police Department. The van was towed for evidence.
The girl who died was a second grade student at a nearby elementary school, and the district superintendent said grief counselors would be present at the school Monday.
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