Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant has released the name of a child killed in an apparent accidental shooting Thursday.
Lagarius Morris, 12, of Columbus, died from a gunshot wound at a residence on Florence Street in east Columbus.
Officers with the Columbus Police Department were called to the home just about 4 p.m. on reports several children were playing with a gun when it was discharged, City Public Information Officer Joe Dillon said.
A CPD press release identified the weapon involved in the incident as an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 5.56 caliber rifle.
A 13-year-old related to Morris is believed to have accidentally fired the weapon, the release states, but investigators determined the two children were not arguing or fighting at the time of the incident.
The release also said the rifle’s owner was out of town on business, but his wife was at home at the time of the shooting.
Although Dillon said the shooting looks to be accidental in nature, the CPD release states the case will be presented to the Lowndes County grand jury at a later date.
No charges have been filed, and Merchant said an autopsy will be conducted Friday.
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