13-year old Michigan girl unintentionally shot to death by 14-year old brother

Paige McGinnis, age 13

13-year old Paige McGinnis was home alone with her 14-year old brother when the boy was handling a shotgun.  He unintentionally fired the weapon, hitting Paige in the head and killing her.

From an article:

The boy told sheriff’s officials that he was home alone with Paige handling the shotgun when it accidentally discharged, killing his sister. He said he believed that the weapon was unloaded. 

Clinton County Sheriff Wayne Kangas told reporters that he believes the shooting was accidental. The boy has not been taken into police custody. .... 

“[Paige] was such a delightful kid, she was one of our students of the month a couple of time,” he continued.  

“I just think of her as a wonderful student, one of those great kids you look forward to having in the class.” 

Cunningham added that Paige’s brother was also a good boy. 

“They are the kind of kids who are not troublemakers,” he said. “We’re grieving with the family as a community and a district and we hope and pray for the best.” 

Kangas stressed the need for parents to be vigilant about gun safety. 

“We always tell parents to make sure those firearms are locked up, they’re unloaded, and if you can at all secure them in a safe or someplace where young people can’t [get to] or touch those guns,” Kangas told reporters.

Or, better yet, don't have a gun in the home at all, with children.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.