Girl, 5, Fatally Shot By Brother After They Discover Dad’s Rifle While Playing At Home

A father has been arrested after his son accidentally shot and killed his younger sister with a rifle at the family’s home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Police say Irvin Ramos-Jimenez, 33, owned the rifle that was used to kill his five-year-old daughter, Layla Ramos, on June 3.

According to court filings, Ramos-Jimenez was outside the family home when he heard a loud bang coming from inside the property.

His daughter was found with a gunshot wound in his son’s bedroom, AZ Family reports, as the boy reportedly ran outside screaming after the incident.

Police say they were called to a psychiatric hospital in south Phoenix after reports of a stabbing, but when they arrived at the scene, they found Layla with a gunshot wound.

The family had rushed her to the nearby psychiatric hospital in a bid to seek urgent medical help.

Layla was taken to a local trauma center in an ambulance but was sadly pronounced dead.

In a police statement, Ramos-Jimenez said his nine-year-old son “must have grabbed the gun” that was stored on a shelf in his bedroom.

Ramos-Jimenez, who has a previous felony drug conviction, was arrested for possession of a weapon by a prohibited person and reportedly admitted to buying the rifle for his “personal protection.”

“He brought a gun into a home with kids and not just any gun, it was an assault rifle,” the prosecution said during Ramos-Jimenez’s first court hearing on June 4.

“He stored it in his nine-year-old’s bedroom and if this gun had not been in the house, we wouldn’t have had the outcome we did.”

In a statement to AZ Family, Layla’s mother, Delores Ramirez, described her as a loving and special child.

“My sweet daughter Layla was only five years old, but she filled our world with a love and light far beyond her years,” she said.

“She had the gentlest soul—kind, soft-hearted, and always so loving. Layla was the kind of child who made everyone feel special with just a smile or a quiet hug.

“She was so excited for school to start soon; she would talk about it with such joy and anticipation. She loved deeply and purely, and that love will stay with us forever.

“Though her time with us was far too short, Layla’s beautiful spirit will always live on in our hearts.”

Layla’s uncle, Jose Ramos, has now launched a fundraising page to help pay for funeral expenses.

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of my beloved niece, Layla,” he wrote on the page.

“She was our little princess who got her wings way too soon. She was so loving, smart, and a truly beautiful soul.

“We want to give her a proper send-off, but we ask for any help you can give our family during this difficult time, even if it’s just sharing this post,” he added.

“There’s a cemetery for babies and children, and she’ll be buried there. We’ll miss her dearly. We greatly appreciate your prayers.”

So far, the page has raised more than $10,000.