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PUEBLO, Colo. — A 3-year-old girl was shot in the chest by another child Monday morning, leaving her in critical condition, the Pueblo Police Department said.

Early investigations found that a 9-year-old boy picked up a handgun that was in a home in the 3200 block of Colfax Avenue and took it into the back yard, police said. The boy then gave the gun to a 5-year-old, who pointed it at the victim and pulled the trigger, PPD said.

The girl was airlifted to Colorado Springs for surgery, where she remained in critical but stable condition Monday evening. The bullet passed straight through her body without breaking any bones, police said.

The victim’s mother and her boyfriend were reportedly at the home during the shooting. Police did not identify the mother, but said the boyfriend was Adrian Chavez, 22.

Chavez, who had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on a separate case, fled the scene and was captured about 3:15 p.m. He faces a charge of child abuse resulting in serious injury for leaving the gun unattended, PPD said.

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