Mississippi boy, 11, dies after sister, 12, accidentally shoots him in the head during rabbit hunt

OVETT, MISSISSIPPI: A 12-year-old girl fatally shot her 11-year-old brother in the head by accident when they were out to hunt rabbits on December 2.

The incident took place at the residence of their grandmother on Alex Knight Road, reported the Daily Mail.

The children were accompanied by their 19-year-old stepbrother on the hunting trip when the tragedy took place. They have not been publicly identified because of their age.

How did the accident take place?

According to the outlet, the boy had knelt to hand his sister a .22-caliber rifle, but she pulled the trigger as he stood up, and as a result, was shot in the head.

Family members rushed in to provide aid to the boy, who continued to fight for his life even after sustaining the critical wound.

An EMServ ambulance transported him to Forrest General Hospital, from where he was later transferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Heartbreakingly, however, the boy was later pronounced dead, reported the Jones County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation into the child's death is currently ongoing.

Sgt Denny Graham stated that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is taking the lead in the investigation since the shooting was hunting-related, with assistance from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department.

Officials have called the shooting a "tragic accident," and have not yet announced if any charges will be filed for the death of the 11-year-old.

Lance Chancellor, the public information officer of the Jones County Sheriff's Department said that the accident has taken an emotional toll on everyone involved.

"Out of this horrible tragedy, some child or children somewhere around the country will receive organ donations that could be the gift of life," he added.

Jones County witnessed another hunting rifle accident over the weekend

Willie Hall Lack, 36, apparently shot himself between the eyes with a .380-caliber handgun on December 3.

The accident took place as he was reaching for the rifle that was on the top shelf of his home closet.

The bullet appeared to have entered the right bridge of Lack's nose and exited the top left side of his forehead, reported the Mail. Lack miraculously survived, and was able to walk to a neighbor's house for medical assistance.