6-year-old girl dead after dad fatally shoots her while cleaning his gun

An Indiana father accidentally shot and killed his 6-year-old daughter while cleaning out his handgun, the New York Daily News reports.

According to a statement from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, 6-year-old Makayla S. Bowling was fatally injured when her father was cleaning out a handgun he believed was not loaded.

The little girl was reportedly shot in the head.  The Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to an emergency call from the home on Friday night, and Makayla was transported to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. She was later pronounced dead.

The sheriff’s news release states that while the fatal shooting is still being investigated, Indiana State Police do not suspect foul play at this time. No charges have been filed.

An online obituary identifies Makayla’s parents as Devin Bowling & Jackie Bowling. A Facebook page belonging to a man identifying as Devin Bowling has “shooting guns” listed under their “Likes.” The person identified as his wife, Jaqueline Bowling, has posted multiple times about losing her daughter. The family has launched an online crowdfunding campaign to raise $15,000 for an above-ground casket.

According to the obituary, Makayla had one brother and two sisters.