Was the gun kept in the home for self-protection?

If so, it was used to shoot a 12-year-old girl instead.

From WBIR NBC-10 (Knoxville):

An 11-year-old boy has been charged with aggravated assault after shooting a 12-year-old girl in the head Wednesday, Police Chief Ted Boyd said.

The victim was in critical condition Wednesday night at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, where Boyd said doctors should know more about her condition within the next 24 hours.

The hospital could not comment further on her condition.

The boy had access to his parents' gun at their home on Mable Drive in the Lake Forest Estates subdivision. The victim was a neighborhood friend.

Boyd said police may adjust the charges, depending on the girl's condition. He said police are also consulting with the district attorney about possible charges against the parents who owned the gun.

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