A 9-year-old girl was injured after she was accidentally shot in the back by her 5-year-old cousin, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.The girl was taken to the hospital, where condition was stabilized.During the investigation, deputies found a Ruger .22-caliber rifle in the rural Madera home after family members took the girl to the hospital Sunday night.Investigators seized the rifle and ammunition and learned that the 5-year-old found the firearm while playing in the home, the Sheriff's Office said."After obtaining witness statements, it was revealed that the 9-year-old female was playing with a 5-year-old cousin inside the home, when the 5-year-old gained access to the firearm and accidentally shot the 9-year-old in the back," the Sheriff's Office said.The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. "Though the incident appears to be accidental in nature, a report was forwarded to the Madera County District Attorney’s Office requesting a charge of criminal storage of a firearm against the owner of the residence," the Sheriff's Office said.Prosecutors will decide if the homeowner will be charged

A 9-year-old girl was injured after she was accidentally shot in the back by her 5-year-old cousin, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

The girl was taken to the hospital, where condition was stabilized.


During the investigation, deputies found a Ruger .22-caliber rifle in the rural Madera home after family members took the girl to the hospital Sunday night.

Investigators seized the rifle and ammunition and learned that the 5-year-old found the firearm while playing in the home, the Sheriff's Office said.

"After obtaining witness statements, it was revealed that the 9-year-old female was playing with a 5-year-old cousin inside the home, when the 5-year-old gained access to the firearm and accidentally shot the 9-year-old in the back," the Sheriff's Office said.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

"Though the incident appears to be accidental in nature, a report was forwarded to the Madera County District Attorney’s Office requesting a charge of criminal storage of a firearm against the owner of the residence," the Sheriff's Office said.

Prosecutors will decide if the homeowner will be charged