ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A 10-year-old girl was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after her father accidentally shot her Wednesday night in north St. Louis County.
Christopher Turner, 47, was charged Thursday with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
According to the St. Louis County Police Department, officers responded just before 10:30 p.m. to the shooting in the 11100 block of Pritchard Drive to find the 10-year-old suffering from a bullet-related injury. She was taken to an area hospital, where she remained in critical condition.
Turner, 47, admitted he was handling a gun when the weapon went off and struck his daughter, police said.
Turner was being held at the St. Louis County Jail on a $200,000 bond.
The St. Louis County Police Department's Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is handling the investigation.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV App Store.