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TODDLER FATALLY SHOOTS 8-YEAR-OLD BROTHER:  Jefferson County, Arkansas - July 14, 2022 - Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigators are currently investigating the shooting death of an 8-year-old boy, who was shot by his 5-year-old brother.

Just after 2 o'clock this afternoon, deputies were dispatched to a residence located within the 2700 block of Shannon Valley Road in Jefferson County, following a 9-1-1 call of a reported shooting involving a toddler.

Deputies arrived a short time later and found an unresponsive 8-year-old boy inside the home. The Jefferson County Coroner was notified and arrived on scene, where the 8-year-old was pronounced deceased.

Investigators believe the shooting was accidental.      

"This is a tragic incident that could have been avoided.  I can't emphasize strongly enough that guns need to be well secured and kept out of the hands and away from children at all times, "Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. said.  "Gun owners that do not properly secure their firearms are just one split second away from one of these tragedies happening in their home."

Law enforcement standard protocols, due to the ages of those involved necessitated the notification of Arkansas Department of Human Services, who also arrived on scene in order to aid in the assessment of the welfare of the children in the home as well as other conditions.

The body of the 8-year-old will be sent to the state medical examiners office for an autopsy to be performed, as this investigation continues.