Family member cleaning gun accidentally shoots 2-year-old girl in Oregon

COLTON, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a 2-year-old Oregon girl is in the hospital after being shot accidentally by a family member who was cleaning a gun on Christmas morning.


KOIN-TV reports the girl was flown by helicopter from Colton to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.

The Clackamas County sheriff's office is investigating the shooting, which they believe was an accident that happened when the child's 24-year-old uncle was cleaning his gun.

Sgt. Don Boone told KATU-TV he doesn't expect any charges to be filed.

The toddler, who was shot in the cheek, is in stable condition and expected to survive.

Boone called the girl a very lucky child and reminded gun owners that one of the cardinal rules of gun cleaning is to unload your weapon first.

Colton is about 27 miles south of Portland.