Senior Reporter
anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
An eight-year-old girl, who was shot in the head by a relative on Sunday, is now said to be in stable condition at hospital.
Police said the girl underwent surgery yesterday and was resting last night.
According to reports, around 4 pm, the victim and a relative were playing in the yard of the fenced property, when the 13-year-old relative picked up an air rifle and reportedly told the victim she would shoot her, before pointing it at her head and firing once.
As the eight-year-old girl collapsed, bleeding from the forehead, the elder girl dropped the weapon and ran inside to alert relatives.
The rifle reportedly belonged to a male relative who also lives at the property.
It was claimed the rifle had been kept in a garage adjoining the house, which the children have access to.
The injured girl was taken to the Chaguanas Health Facility and was later transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.
The rifle was seized by police officers following the incident.
When Guardian Media visited the house at Howard Drive yesterday, those present refused to come out to speak with reporters.
After several minutes spent calling out to the occupants, a shirtless young man came to a window and said he was not at home when the alleged incident occurred.
Meanwhile, residents along the street also declined to speak with the media.
One woman, however, described the victim as a loving child who would normally be smiling and playing.
She expressed sorrow over the incident and prayed for the girl’s speedy recovery.