KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — UPDATE (5/13): Two boys charged in the shooting of a sleeping child in a Knoxville apartment complex faced a hearing Monday before a Knox County Juvenile Court magistrate. Both remain in custody.
The boys did not live at the Vista complex but were visiting a friend, according to attorney K. Abigail Jones, whose firm represents the younger of the two defendants. The 2-year-old girl who was shot was sleeping when the gun went off, apparently accidentally.
The older boy then fled the scene, according to Jones. First-responders were promptly summoned, she said.
Jones said her firm was awaiting testing for the presence of gunshot residue, taken from the defendants, which could indicate who fired the weapon. Testing is being conducted by the TBI, she said.
Jones said the shooting was a "tragedy" for the community that has affected multiple people.
The younger of the two boys turned age 13 on Monday while in custody.
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UPDATE(5/12): The Knoxville Police Department said two juvenile males have been charged with felony reckless endangerment after a 2-year-old girl was shot. This happened at the Vista apartment complex on East Hill Avenue.
The 12- and 14-year-olds have also been charged with juvenile in possession of a firearm. KPD said additional charges are likely.
The little girl is still in critical condition.
This is an ongoing investigation, said KPD.
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PREVIOUS STORY: The Knoxville Police Department is investigating after a 2-year-old child was shot inside an East Knoxville apartment on Saturday, said KPD.
KPD officers and Knoxville Fire Department personnel were sent to The Vista apartment complex on East Hill Avenue at around 5:30 p.m. on May 11, where the child had been "struck after a gun was discharged inside the apartment."
The child was then transported to the hospital and is in critical condition, according to KPD.
"It is believed that all of the involved individuals are accounted for, as three juveniles were detained following the shooting for further investigation," said KPD. "Those individuals are being questioned by KPD Homicide Unit detectives."
KPD said no other injuries were reported inside the apartment. The investigation is still ongoing.
This story will be updated when more information is available.