ATHENS, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities in McMinn County say a teenage girl has been fatally shot after the gun her younger brother was unloading discharged.
Local news outlets report that McCinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said the 17-year-old girl was struck Saturday by a single round from the rifle her 13-year-old brother was handling inside the family's home near Niota.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Guy says the sheriff's office is still investigating, but the incident appears to be an accident.
No charges have been filed at this time and no names were immediately released.