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LOWELL, NC — Police are working to find out why an 11-year-old girl shot herself Wednesday night.
Students at Holbrook Middle School met their parents Thursday with heavy hearts after learning of their classmate’s death.
“It’s one thing having to explain someone older passing. It’s another thing when you’re talking about someone so young,” said Holbrook parent Patricia Dunlap.
WCCB is choosing not to release the girl’s name because she was so young. She was friends with Dunlap’s little girl, Alexis Dunlap.
“I was kind of shocked. I was surprised because I don’t expect her age people to die like that,” said Alexis.
Investigators say the mother came home from work Wednesday night to find her only child dead.
Police are talking to friends and family to find out if this could have been suicide or an accident.
By law, parents must keep weapons properly stored or unloaded. In this case, police say the little girl knew where her mom kept the gun. However, detectives will consult with the District Attorney, if they find out the weapon was not properly stored, before deciding if they need to file charges.
“I can’t imagine,” said Jason Martin.”I can’t imagine what a family would go through.”
Martin says the question has crossed his mind: What if his boys get to his guns?
“And that’s one of the reasons I wanted to expose them to it at a young age, so they know gun safety,” said Martin.
Other parents say these tragic situations confirm their decision not to have guns.
“You can’t stop yourself from getting hurt,” said Sophia Hall. “We just don’t believe in guns in our family.”
Back in Dunlap’s van, a little girl was just remembering her friend.
“She mostly read most of the time, and she would talk about her books,” said Alexis. “She was always happy.”
