Toddler shot in hospital waiting room when mom's gun in purse fires

A 2-year-old girl was grazed by a bullet when her mother dropped her purse and a gun inside of it discharged while the two of them were in a hospital ER waiting room.

Jackson Police spokeswoman Officer Colendula Green told multiple news media outlets the woman and her daughter were at a vending machine at Merit Health Central Medical Center on Wednesday morning when the gun went off. Green says a bullet ricocheted off the machine and grazed the child's face. She said the wound was superficial and the child is expected to be fine.

Hospital officials say weapons are prohibited on the campuses of Merit Health facilities.

It was unclear whether the mother had a license to carry the gun, and police said they didn't know yet whether she would be charged with any crime.