Father says he left the pistol on the kitchen counter with which his 3-year-old daughter shot her 5-year-old sister

A 3-year-old girl died after being shot by her 5-year-old sister this Sunday (8) in Guaratiba. The father admitted that he left the gun on the kitchen counter.

The man reported that he took the 9 mm pistol to inspect the open gate. When he returned, he left it in the holster and went to sleep before the shot.

The father, registered as CAC, was not arrested in the act and will be charged with manslaughter and failure to exercise caution. The Homicide Department is investigating the case.

The father of the 3-year-old girl who died after being shot by her 5-year-old sister, in Guaratiba, in the West Zone of Rio, this Sunday (8), stated in a statement to the police that he left the pistol used in the shooting on a kitchen counter before going back to sleep.

According to the report, obtained by g1, he grabbed the weapon, a 9 mm pistol, after being warned by his companion that the house's garage door was open.

The man said he went down to close the gate and check if an invasion had occurred. After checking that everything was in order, he went back into the house.

According to the testimony, the father left the pistol on a kitchen counter, in its holster, and returned to the bedroom to sleep.

He told police that he woke up to the sound of a gunshot and ran to the living room, where he found his 3-year-old daughter lying on the floor. According to the father, his 5-year-old daughter ran towards him and said: "I'm sorry daddy, I'm sorry daddy."

The man stated that he picked up the injured child and went with the family to the Rocha Faria Municipal Hospital, in Campo Grande. The girl was treated, but did not survive her injuries.

The children's mother also gave a statement. She confirmed that she noticed that the garage door was open and informed her companion.

The woman said that the family had gone to bed late because a party on the street, in front of the house, had ended around 6am. According to her, everyone was tired and slept late.

The mother said she heard a loud noise and got up, almost at the same time as her partner. When he arrived in the living room, he said he saw his 3-year-old daughter lying on the floor. The other two daughters were also at the scene.

The case is investigated by the Capital Homicide Police Station (DHC).

According to the police, the father had registered the pistol as a Collector, Sports Shooter and Hunter (CAC). He presented himself spontaneously and gave testimony as an accused. Because he presented himself and gave the necessary explanations, he was not arrested in the act.

The police reported that he will be released for manslaughter, when there is no intention to kill, and for failure to exercise caution, for failing to prevent a person under 18 from having access to a firearm in his possession. The possibility of intentional homicide was not ruled out.

The father also underwent a residual examination, which found no traces of gunpowder on him.

The pistol was seized. The Homicide Police carried out an examination of the property and reported that other measures are underway to clarify the circumstances of the death.

When contacted, the father's defense said that “the family, at this delicate and tragic moment, has no interest in speaking out.”

Until 1 pm this Monday (9), the girl's body was still at the Instituto-Médico Legal (IML) in the center of Rio.