BANNING (AP) — Police in Banning say a woman accidentally shot her 12-year-old daughter after pulling the trigger of a miniature revolver she had mistaken for a novelty cigarette lighter.
Sgt. Nick Schoen said Thursday the investigation into the July 24 incident is ongoing, but that police believe it was an accident.
He said 30-year-old Rachel Avila and her daughter were talking with friends in front of their mobile home when Avila found what she thought to be a cigarette lighter on the ground.
Avila picked it up and tried to light it by pulling the trigger.
Police said nothing happened the first time, but on her second try a 22-caliber bullet fired and struck the girl’s right arm.
The girl has been treated for her wound. The gun’s owner hasn’t been determined.
Sgt. Nick Schoen said Thursday the investigation into the July 24 incident is ongoing, but that police believe it was an accident.
He said 30-year-old Rachel Avila and her daughter were talking with friends in front of their mobile home when Avila found what she thought to be a cigarette lighter on the ground.
Avila picked it up and tried to light it by pulling the trigger.
Police said nothing happened the first time, but on her second try a 22-caliber bullet fired and struck the girl’s right arm.
The girl has been treated for her wound. The gun’s owner hasn’t been determined.
