A three-year-old girl was killed after accidentally being shot in the head this morning in a residence in a Bradley County subdivision, according to officers with the Bradley County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators believe the child accidentally shot herself, said Bob Gault, spokesman for the sheriff's department. The family lives in the Benwood subdivision.

Initial investigation shows the 3-year-old and a 2-year old cousin were playing when they apparently found the .45 caliber handgun. The girl's mother was also home, said Gault.

The girl was at the home of a relative who was a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer, Gault said. It is unclear whether the gun was his or whether it was his service weapon.

The girl was taken to SkyRidge Medical Center in Cleveland.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.