3 year old accidentally shoots dead his 9 year old sister with Great-Grandfather's gun

A nine-year-old girl was accidentally shot in the head by her three-year-old little brother over the weekend, authorities say.

Police in Alabama say Irondale third grader Kimi Reylander was critically wounded Saturday before being rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Kimi was reportedly shot after her brother found their great-grandfather's gun on a nightstand in his home.

"It appears to be a tragic accident," Irondale Police Chief Ken Atkinson told AL.com.

Upon hearing the gunshot, the great-grandfather, Joel Watson, ran to the bedroom.

"I came in and when I came in the door, my son came out and said she had been shot," he told WIAT.

Watson said he left the firearm out without knowing his great-grandchildren were coming to visit.

Atkinson called the incident another sad lesson in firearm safety and urged gun owners to keep their weapons out of sight at all times.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral expenses.

According to the Washington Post, Kimi is the fifth person to be hurt in an accidental shooting by a toddler since Jan. 1. Also this year, at least four toddlers have accidentally shot themselves.