PABLO — A 7-year-old girl from the Pablo area recently underwent two surgeries in Spokane after she was the victim of a near-tragic accidental shooting while playing with siblings this past Friday afternoon.

Police investigators reported that after 2 p.m. on April 10, the little girl was playing with her 8-year-old sister and 3-year-old sister in their grandparents’ garage when the youngest sister got a hold of a loaded .22 caliber rifle and accidentally shot her sister in the abdomen.

The girl’s grandfather rushed her to the emergency room at St. Luke’s Hospital in Ronan where she was treated before later being reportedly flown to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash. According to Lake County Sheriff’s Detective Mike Gehl, the victim underwent surgery on Friday and was scheduled to have another surgery on Monday. As of Tuesday night, the girl was reported to be out of the hospital in Washington.

“She’s a very lucky girl — she’s resilient and expected to recover,” Gehl said.

The girls were staying with their grandparents over the holiday weekend at their ranch west of Pablo when the accident occurred. According to Gehl, the gun was located by the 3-year-old unlocked, loaded and without the safety on.

“Obviously, this is one of the worst things that we as law enforcement officers have to respond to,” Gehl added. “Incidents like this are totally, 100 percent preventable.”

Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. Mike Sargeant reminded gun owners to remember their audience when children are around.

“They’re young, they want to explore and kids are very inquisitive by nature,” Sargeant said. “When you’ve got kids, always remember to keep your guns locked up and unloaded.”

Due to the victim and victim’s siblings being very young juveniles, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office did not release any of the names of those involved. Investigators ruled the shooting accidental, but added that the case will be reviewed by the county attorney’s office to determine if charges of negligent or criminal endangerment should be filed against the gun owner.

Free gun locks offered

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office does have gun locks available to those in need in the community. For more information call 883-7301.