5-year-old accidentally shoots and kills 38-year-old mother at Casa Grande

Officials with the Casa Grande Police Department said they are looking into a gunshot that killed a 38-year-old woman on September 3.

According to a statement, the event occurred in an apartment south of the intersection of Pearl Road and Florence Boulevard in the city’s southern portion. Fox6now reported.

Officers were called to the apartment complex at 6:20 a.m. for a shooting report, and when they arrived, they discovered the victim, Michele Cox, suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the chest. Fox6now added.

“Ms. Cox was flown to a Chandler area hospital with life-threatening injuries. Ms. Cox succumbed to her injuries at the hospital,” the statement read.

According to Casa Grande Police, Cox’s 40-year-old boyfriend and four of her children were there at the time of the incident. They were all unharmed.

“Detectives have determined the victim’s five-year-old son was responsible for the shooting,” the statement continued. “Currently, Detectives believe this was an accidental shooting.”

Officials from the Casa Grande Police Department said they are collaborating with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office to investigate whether or not a crime occurred. They also reminded the public that possessing and protecting a firearm is a significant duty that should be prioritized in anyone’s house or company, especially if children are present.