An 11-year-old boy is believed to have accidentally shot his two-year-old sister while playing with his dad's gun. He then turned the firearm on himself after he saw what he had done to his sister.
The boy died immediately and his sister was rushed to hospital but also later died, it's reported. Police said the brother allegedly turned the gun on himself after seeing what had happened to his younger sister.
Speaking about the incident which took place on Saturday, February 4 in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, police said the gun was believed to have been licensed to the boy's father. They urged all licensed firearm owners to ensure that they do not violate the Firearms Control Act by failing to safeguard their firearms.
The South African Police Service released a statement on their Facebook page saying: "KwaZulu-Natal: Siblings die after playing with firearm.
"Empangeni police are investigating a case of murder and an inquest.
"It is alleged that on 3 February 2018 at 23:50, a 11-year-old boy was playing with his father’s licensed firearm when a shot went off and struck his two-year-old sister.
"The victim was taken to hospital for medical attention where she later died.
"The brother allegedly turned the gun on himself after seeing what had happened to his sister.
"We urge all licensed firearm owners to ensure that they do not violate the Firearms Control Act by failing to safeguard their firearms because it amounts to criminal act.
"Contravening the act may lead to unnecessary deaths and violators may face harsh prosecutions."