2-year-old shot in head in Gary by child

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Updated: May 9, 2012 10:10AM

GARY — A 2-year-old girl was in critical condition in a Chicago hospital after she apparently was accidentally shot in the head by another child while playing.

The shooting occurred about 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the 2800 block of 9th Avenue, according to Cpl. Gabrielle King, public information officer with the Gary Police Department.

King said it appears 2-year-old Joriah Henderson was in a bedroom with two other children. One of the children was asleep, and another child, who was younger than 10, and Joriah were awake playing.

“For some strange reason there was a gun in the room where the children were playing,” King said, adding the handgun was underneath a television set.

The little girl’s father was in the residence but was in a different room at the time of the shooting.

The age and relationships of the children involved are unclear at this time, she said. Joriah was taken to Methodist Hospital Northlake by her family after the shooting. Gary police were made aware of the incident by the hospital. She was airlifted to a Chicago-area hospital for treatment.

King said police still are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting,

“It appears right now to be an accidental shooting. There may be charges forthcoming. You can’t just leave guns lying around,” King said.

At this point it is unclear to whom the handgun may be registered.

Police also want to ensure the account of the shooting by the family is accurate.

Anyone with information about the shooting are asked to contact Detective Mike Barnes with the Gary Police Department at 881-7434.