Mom, brother charged in girl's accidental shooting death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Police say the mother and brother of a 12-year-old Tennessee girl have been charged in her accidental shooting with an unsecured gun.

Memphis police said 33-year-old Katrena Blackshire was charged Tuesday with aggravated child abuse and criminally negligent homicide in the death of her daughter, Tytkeanna James.

Police spokesman Louis Brownlee said the children were in Blackshire's sports utility vehicle when the brother picked up the gun and started handling it. Brownlee said the gun went off, striking James.

The girl was rushed to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in extremely critical condition and later died. An affidavit says a semi-automatic pistol was found in the SUV's center console.

The 13-year-old brother has been charged with reckless homicide. He is not being identified by police because he is a juvenile.

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