3-year-old girl accidentally shot herself on Christmas Day, North Carolina officials say

Update: The 3-year-old girl who accidentally shot herself, Aylee Gordon, died at the hospital on Dec. 28, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office told local media. Gordon’s father said in a 911 call that someone who had been visiting for Christmas left the gun in a truck, where Aylee found it.

A 3-year-old North Carolina girl accidentally shot herself with a handgun on Christmas, local media reported.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about the incident at around 2:25 p.m. on Dec. 25, according to a news release.

The sheriff’s office, fire department, emergency medical services and a medical air ambulance all responded to the incident, the release said. The child, Aylee, was transported to a hospital in Asheville via air ambulance, according to deputies and a GoFundMe page.

Aylee is undergoing treatment, the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff’s office did not disclose the nature of the injury or the child’s current condition, but WRAL reported that Aylee accidentally shot herself in the head. Her parents said on the GoFundMe page that the pressure on her brain is high and that “the next 48 hours are very critical.”

The girl is currently under heavy sedation, WLOS reported.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

This story was originally published December 27, 2021 at 12:57 PM with the headline "3-year-old girl accidentally shot herself on Christmas Day, North Carolina officials say."