A Missouri woman is behind bars after a 10-year-old boy accidentally killed his 12-year-old brother while playing with a gun.
The incident occurred Tuesday at a home in St. Louis' Walnut Park West neighborhood, according to police.
The boys were in another room while one of their' parents was getting a haircut, KMOV reported.
At some point, the 10-year-old found a gun and was playing with it when the weapon accidentally discharged. The 12-year-old, identified as LaFrance Johnson, was shot in the face and died.
On Wednesday, officers arrested 36-year-old Aja Johnson, who admitted to owning the gun and leaving the weapon in a bedroom. She's charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, KSDK reported. Johnson is the slain child's aunt.
Police have released few other details about the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation.
The shooting comes just days after a 12-year-old and 14-year-old were shot and killed in what police are investigating as a murder-suicide.
Mayor Tishaura Jones urged all residents to utilize the city's free "Lock It for Love" gun lock program to help keep kids safe.
"These recent shootings have devastated our entire city, and we need to take immediate action to protect our children," Jones said in a statement. "If you have a gun in the house, be a responsible gun owner; store firearms locked and unloaded and pick up a free gun lock to help you and your loved ones safe."
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