Deputies: Father charged after 2-year-old finds gun, shoots younger sibling

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Deputies charged a father after 1-year-old was accidentally shot Sunday morning while playing inside a Lincolnton home.

[ALSO READ: Mother sentenced, after 2-year-old shoots, kills himself]

Officials said two children, ages 1 and 2, were playing inside the home on Lightview Lane just before noon when they found a .380-caliber handgun inside their parent's nightstand.

According to detectives, the child's father was outside smoking when he heard a loud pop and rushed inside.

"Father was outside. Mother was inside with the two children. Father hears a loud bang. He goes inside to find his youngest, 1-year-old daughter has been injured from an apparent gunshot wound,” Lt. Kelly Paris, with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, said.

Officials said the baby’s 2-year-old brother somehow got the gun from inside the nightstand and fired it off while their mother was inside the room.

Dylan Sean Moose, 23, of Lightview Lane, Lincolnton, was charged with storing a firearm in a manner accessible to a minor -- a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(Moose)

"She was in the bedroom where this happened. She was changing clothes. At that point in time, the 2-year-old gained access to the weapon. I guess she had her back turned, then she heard the shot,” Paris said.

Deputies said the bullet grazed the child's head and they do not believe it went through the skull.

The little girl is expected to be OK, but officials said this should serve as a serious reminder for parents.

"Keep your guns secured away from children," Paris said.

Moose was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

Gun safety locks are available at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at no charge.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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