Police: Woman fatally shot as child, 12, plays with shotgun

Police say a 12-year-old child was playing with a shotgun at a Kalamazoo home when the weapon accidentally discharged, killing a 28-year-old family friend.

Kalamazoo officers responded about 5:50 a.m. Friday following a report of the shooting, which happened while the child’s family slept.

In a statement, police described the child as “mentally impaired.” The boy’s grandfather, Daniel Hummel, told the Kalamazoo Gazette that the boy was up before dawn and found a key to a gun safe in the man’s pocket. He says the shotgun was removed from the safe.

Pellets went through a wall at the home, striking the woman as she slept. Her name wasn’t immediately released, but police say she had been temporarily living at the home.  (AP)