2-year-old accidentally shot by another child in backseat of car in southern Minnesota
FAIRMONT, Minn. — A 2-year-old is in the hospital after an accidental shooting in southern Minnesota over the weekend.
According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, the 2-year-old child was accidentally shot by a 4-year-old child inside a vehicle on Sunday near Fairmont. The incident was reported shortly before 10:30 a.m.
Officials confirmed with WCCO that the 4-year-old got a hold of a loaded firearm in the backseat before accidentally firing it, striking the 2-year-old.
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Deputies with the Martin County Sheriff's Office responded to the motorist who was heading east towards Fairmont for medical care.
"Deputies intercepted the caller's vehicle in the 1800 block of 120th Street where they assisted an adult party in rendering first aid to the victim, who was discovered to be a 2-year-old child," the sheriff's office said.
Deputies provided treatment until a Mayo Clinic ambulance arrived. The victim was then airlifted to Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
The 2-year-old's condition is unknown. No arrests have been announced.
Fairmont is located near the southern border of Minnesota, about 50 miles southwest of Mankato.