news-record.com

CHARLOTTE (MCT) -- A 4-year-old girl was killed Saturday afternoon in what police said was an accidental shooting in southwest Charlotte, and a man has been charged in connection with her death.

Relatives told Observer news partner WCNC-TV that the girl's young cousin pulled the trigger.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were called to a home in the Highlands Apartments complex on Archdale Drive around 1:20 p.m. after receiving a report of a shooting.

When officers arrived, firefighters and paramedics were treating a 4-year-old who had suffered a gunshot wound, police said.

The girl was taken to Carolinas Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Police have not yet released the girl's name, but family members told WCNC-TV that the victim was Katterine Palma, who recently celebrated a birthday.

An adult woman and four other children, ranging in age from 6 months to 11 years old, were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting, police said.

Erin Melendez, 37, is charged with storing a gun in a manner accessible to a minor. The relationship between Melendez and the victim wasn't immediately known.

State law says anyone who lives with a child cannot store or leave a gun in such a way that the person knew -- or should have known -- a child could reach it. The gun owner is guilty of a misdemeanor if a child gets the gun and then uses it in a crime or causes an injury or death.

Police said Melendez was not in the apartment at the time of the shooting. The woman who was inside the apartment was not in the bedroom where the shooting took place, police said.

Police said they don't expect file any more charges.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 704-432-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.