Whatcom County 13-year-old accidentally shoots younger sibling with handgun
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday reported a 13-year-old shot a younger sibling Wednesday night in what is being described as an accidental shooting.
The child shot an 11-year-old sibling with a handgun around 7:45 p.m. on East Alder Drive in the Glenhaven area near Alger in south Whatcom County, according to a news release from Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a call from the 13-year-old and upon arrival immediately secured the handgun and started providing aid to the younger child until medics arrived. The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He is in critical condition in the intensive care unit, according to the hospital’s media relations director, Susan Gregg. Deputies were told the shooting was an accident.
The children’s parents were not home at the time.
The Sheriff’s Office has not said how the 13-year-old obtained the weapon, who it belongs to or whether it was secured.
The children attend school in the Mount Baker District, which has been made aware of this incident and has additional counseling and staff support across the campuses, according to Slater.
This story was originally published February 15, 2024 at 10:40 AM.
.jpg)