6-year-old child dies from self-inflicted gunshot wound, police say

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - HPD homicide detectives are investigating after a child died from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police were called to the scene at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of West Gulf Bank just after 11 a.m. Sunday. Officers arrived to the scene to find a 6-year-old child had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police say. The child was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police say the child's mother was out of the house running errands and an older sibling was babysitting her younger siblings.

"She was awakened by the gunshot, which she described as she heard what she believed to be a firecracker," HPD Sgt. Anthony Turner said. "And when she sent the 14-year-old sister in the room, sent around to check, they saw the 6-year-old laying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head."

The scene is still under investigation. No charges have been filed at this time.