Therese Apel

Clarion Ledger

A child suffered a superficial wound at Merit Health Central hospital Wednesday morning when a gun in her mother's purse accidentally discharged, Jackson Police Department confirmed.

Authorities said the incident happened in the emergency room.

Jackson police spokeswoman Colendula Green said the mother dropped her purse while standing by a vending machine, which caused her gun to go off inside her purse. The bullet ricocheted off the vending machine and grazed the 2-year-old girl's face on the right side.

Her injuries are said to be non-life-threatening.

SEE ALSO: JPD investigating officer-involved shooting

Merit Health Central Hospital released a statement saying weapons are prohibited on the hospital campus in order to protect the safety of patients, visitors and employees.

"This morning, an isolated incident involving the accidental discharge of a visitor's weapon occurred on our campus. It was addressed quickly, preventing serious harm to the patient and risk to others in the hospital," the statement read.

They directed further questions to JPD.

The investigation is ongoing, Green said.

Contact Therese Apel at tapel@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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