Whitfield County authorities say an 11-year-old girl who was shot to death Friday night died at her 12-year-old brother's hands in a "tragic accident."
Sheriff Scott Chitwood said in a news release that Cassie Culpepper and some other children were riding in the back of a pickup truck on Bandy Road, near the Catoosa County line, about 10:45 p.m.
The brother had sneaked along a .38-caliber revolver that he thought was unloaded.
Intending just to "scare" his sister, the boy pointed the gun at her and pulled the trigger, the sheriff's release said. Cassie was struck once in the face.
Their mother, who was driving, rushed home and called for help, but Cassie was dead when police arrived, Chitwood said.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Whitfield County Sheriff's Department with the investigation.
Stay with the Times Free Press for more information as it develops,