DETROIT – It was a heartbreaking scene for Detroit police officers Thursday night on Tuxedo Street on the city's west side.
Police say this latest shooting death could have been prevented. Three cousins, all under the age of 5, were playing alone in a back bedroom with what police describe as a long gun.
It ended with a 4-year-old boy shot in the chest by his 4-year-old girl cousin.
"It is very tragic. The 4-year-old was transported to Henry Ford Hospital where he was pronounced dead at arrival," said Detroit Police Cpt. Rodney Cox.
Investigators brought the gun out of the home used in the shooting. Neighbors want to know how three young kids got their hands on that loaded gun.
Why wasn't it locked up?
"I ain't never known the old guy to have a gun or something. I didn't know," said neighbor Dennis Queensbury. "You got to be safe. He should have put it up or something so it should have been unreached by a child."
There was an adult at the home at the time of the shooting. Police say it's too early to say if anyone will face charges. No one is in custody.
"This was not responsible gun ownership," said Cox.