WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |12-year-old girl shot by playmate

12-year-old girl shot by playmate

A 12-year-old girl remains in critical condition after police said she was shot in the head by her 11-year-old playmate.
 
The boy is now in juvenile detention, charged with aggravated assault.

The shooting occurred around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday on Mable Drive in the Lake Forest Estates subdivision in LaVergne.

Police said three children were in the home alone when the 11-year-old found a pistol.

Investigators said he deliberately pointed the gun at the victim, and the girl was afraid, making the shooting not "accidental."

Police said one of the children called 911.  No parents were at home at the time of shooting.

"Adults leave their guns available to kids, and when they get curious or for whatever reason we end up having a shooting," said LaVergne Police Chief Ted Boyd.

"This is a tragedy that could have been prevented just by simply using one of these locks," Boyd continued, holding up a gun lock that the department gives out for free.

The parents of the 11-year-old shooter have not yet been charged.

The girl was last listed in critical condition at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.