Girl Finds Shotgun, Is Killed With It

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A girl who found a loaded, sawed-off shotgun on her 10th birthday died in a blast of buckshot after struggling with her 11-year-old brother when he tried to take it away. Their 8-year-old female cousin was critically wounded in the shooting.

The accidental shooting Friday came after the girls found the 12-gauge shotgun in nearby woods and started playing with it, police spokesman Ed Buice said. The boy was physically unhurt.

The owner of the gun was charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault. Authorities say he tossed the gun while being chased by police earlier this month after a dispute with a local resident over a dog. Police would not release his name.